diff --git a/code/game/machinery/autolathe.dm b/code/game/machinery/autolathe.dm
index 8e9066b5a10..cdb10bee6ac 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/autolathe.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/autolathe.dm
@@ -178,8 +178,11 @@
 		container.layer = initial(container.layer)
 	if(href_list["modifyOutputAmount"])
 		outputAmount = text2num(input(usr,"Amount:","Enter new quantity to create",""))
-		if(outputAmount < 1)
-			outputAmount = 1
+		if(!busy)
+			if(outputAmount < 1)
+				outputAmount = 1
+		else
+			usr << "\red The autolathe is busy. Please wait for completion of previous operation."
 	if (!busy)
 		if(href_list["make"])
 			makeDir = get_dir(src,usr)