diff --git a/code/game/machinery/recycler.dm b/code/game/machinery/recycler.dm
index 3cfac29749..4942873a9c 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/recycler.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/recycler.dm
@@ -120,10 +120,10 @@
 			var/obj/item/bodypart/head/as_head = AM
 			var/obj/item/mmi/as_mmi = AM
 			if(istype(AM, /obj/item/organ/brain) || (istype(as_head) && as_head.brain) || (istype(as_mmi) && as_mmi.brain) || istype(AM, /obj/item/dullahan_relay))
-				living_detected = living_detected || AM
+				living_detected = living_detected ? living_detected : AM
 			nom += AM
 		else if(isliving(AM))
-			living_detected = living_detected || AM
+			living_detected = living_detected ? living_detected : AM
 			crunchy_nom += AM
 	var/not_eaten = to_eat.len - nom.len - crunchy_nom.len
 	if(living_detected) // First, check if we have any living beings detected.