diff --git a/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm b/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
index 327e6df0e5..7a614da07b 100644
--- a/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
+++ b/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
 	SEND_SIGNAL(user, COMSIG_MOB_ITEM_ATTACK, M, user)
 	if(item_flags & NOBLUDGEON)
 		return
-	if(force && damtype != STAMINA && HAS_TRAIT(user, TRAIT_PACIFISM) && !is_species(user, /datum/species/zombie/infectious))
+	if(force && damtype != STAMINA && HAS_TRAIT(user, TRAIT_PACIFISM))
 		to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>You don't want to harm other living beings!</span>")
 		return
 
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species.dm
index 432052d322..d67265be53 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species.dm
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(roundstart_race_names)
 	var/list/species_traits = list(HAS_FLESH,HAS_BONE) //by default they can scar and have bones/flesh unless set to something else
 	// generic traits tied to having the species
 	var/list/inherent_traits = list()
+	// blacklisted traits that conflict with species. If i can figure how to use these lists and mass removes, will uncomment
+	//var/list/blacklisted_traits = list()
 	var/inherent_biotypes = MOB_ORGANIC|MOB_HUMANOID
 
 	var/attack_verb = "punch"	// punch-specific attack verb
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species_types/zombies.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species_types/zombies.dm
index 385dd94f04..91e00bb3f5 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species_types/zombies.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species_types/zombies.dm
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@
 	armor = 20 // 120 damage to KO a zombie, which kills it
 	speedmod = 1.6 // they're very slow
 	mutanteyes = /obj/item/organ/eyes/night_vision/zombie
+	// same as in species.dm
+	//blacklisted_traits = list(TRAIT_PACIFISM)
 	var/heal_rate = 1
 	var/regen_cooldown = 0
 
@@ -96,6 +98,10 @@
 		part.incoming_stam_mult = incoming_stam_mult
 		//todo: add negative wound resistance to all parts when wounds is merged (zombies are physically weak in terms of limbs)
 
+	// this removes pacifism quirk so our zombie can attack normally. but how to add back when cured?
+	REMOVE_TRAIT(C, TRAIT_PACIFISM, ROUNDSTART_TRAIT)	// and why "cannot be removed without admin intervention"? what does that mean?
+
+
 // Your skin falls off
 /datum/species/krokodil_addict
 	name = SPECIES_HUMAN