diff --git a/code/modules/nifsoft/nif.dm b/code/modules/nifsoft/nif.dm
index 2f8573dbd0c..39d380d16c3 100644
--- a/code/modules/nifsoft/nif.dm
+++ b/code/modules/nifsoft/nif.dm
@@ -203,6 +203,7 @@ You can also set the stat of a NIF to NIF_TEMPFAIL without any issues to disable
 		persist_nif_data(human)
 
 	if(durability <= 0)
+		durability = 0	//failsafe us to a minimum of 0% so we don't just wash into massively negative durability from repeated EMPs
 		stat = NIF_TEMPFAIL
 		update_icon()