diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/shards.dm b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/shards.dm
index a57463eee78..a4fc0081c20 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/shards.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/shards.dm
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
 				if(affecting.take_damage(5, 0))
 					H.UpdateDamageIcon()
 				H.updatehealth()
-				if(!(H.species & NO_PAIN))
+				if(!(H.species && (H.species.flags & NO_PAIN)))
 					H.Weaken(3)
 	..()