diff --git a/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm b/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
index 85e640d1b37..058f5d6044f 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
@@ -459,9 +459,9 @@ This is the proc mobs get to turn into a ghost. Forked from ghostize due to comp
 	if(host)
 		if(config.uneducated_mice)
 			host.universal_understand = 0
+		announce_ghost_joinleave(src, 0, "They are now a mouse.")
 		host.ckey = src.ckey
 		host << "<span class='info'>You are now a mouse. Try to avoid interaction with players, and do not give hints away that you are more than a simple rodent.</span>"
-		announce_ghost_joinleave(host, 0, "They are now a mouse.")
 
 /mob/dead/observer/verb/view_manfiest()
 	set name = "View Crew Manifest"
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/simple_animal.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/simple_animal.dm
index 5b9f92d87af..425295cd2d9 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/simple_animal.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/simple_animal.dm
@@ -308,9 +308,8 @@
 
 /mob/living/simple_animal/death()
 	icon_state = icon_dead
-	stat = DEAD
 	density = 0
-	return ..()
+	return ..(deathmessage = "no message")
 
 /mob/living/simple_animal/ex_act(severity)
 	if(!blinded)