diff --git a/code/modules/research/tg/machinery/_production.dm b/code/modules/research/tg/machinery/_production.dm
index 1973daa2d0..dc9bd988e8 100644
--- a/code/modules/research/tg/machinery/_production.dm
+++ b/code/modules/research/tg/machinery/_production.dm
@@ -453,13 +453,16 @@
 	icon_state = initial(icon_state)
 
 /obj/machinery/rnd/production/MouseDrop(atom/over, src_location, over_location, src_control, over_control, params)
-	if(!Adjacent(usr))
+	var/mob/user = usr
+	if(!Adjacent(user))
+		return
+	if(isobserver(user) || user.is_incorporeal())
 		return
 	if(busy)
-		balloon_alert(usr, "busy printing!")
+		balloon_alert(user, "busy printing!")
 		return
 	var/direction = get_dir(src, over_location)
 	if(!direction)
 		return
 	drop_direction = direction
-	balloon_alert(usr, "dropping [dir2text(drop_direction)]")
+	balloon_alert(user, "dropping [dir2text(drop_direction)]")
diff --git a/code/modules/research/tg/machinery/mech_fabricator.dm b/code/modules/research/tg/machinery/mech_fabricator.dm
index 7d316a7613..97380fdad0 100644
--- a/code/modules/research/tg/machinery/mech_fabricator.dm
+++ b/code/modules/research/tg/machinery/mech_fabricator.dm
@@ -149,16 +149,19 @@
 		. += span_notice("Currently configured to drop printed objects <b>[dir2text(drop_direction)]</b>.")
 
 /obj/machinery/mecha_part_fabricator_tg/MouseDrop(atom/over, src_location, over_location, src_control, over_control, params)
-	if(!Adjacent(usr))
+	var/mob/user = usr
+	if(!Adjacent(user))
+		return
+	if(isobserver(user) || user.is_incorporeal())
 		return
 	if(being_built)
-		balloon_alert(usr, "printing started!")
+		balloon_alert(user, "printing started!")
 		return
 	var/direction = get_dir(src, over_location)
 	if(!direction)
 		return
 	drop_direction = direction
-	balloon_alert(usr, "dropping [dir2text(drop_direction)]")
+	balloon_alert(user, "dropping [dir2text(drop_direction)]")
 
 /**
  * Updates the `final_sets` and `buildable_parts` for the current mecha fabricator.