diff --git a/code/modules/power/tesla/energy_ball.dm b/code/modules/power/tesla/energy_ball.dm
index ad79a052de..08427ba027 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/tesla/energy_ball.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/tesla/energy_ball.dm
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@
 				closest_atom = A
 				closest_dist = dist
 
-		else if(closest_mob)
+		else if(closest_machine)
 			continue
 
 		else if(istype(A, /obj/structure/blob))