diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/special/alien_embryo.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/special/alien_embryo.dm
index 53c795b328..f02f32cd18 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/special/alien_embryo.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/special/alien_embryo.dm
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@
 		new_xeno.notransform = 0
 		new_xeno.invisibility = 0
 
+	var/old_owner = owner
 	if(kill_on_sucess) //ITS TOO LATE
 		new_xeno.visible_message("<span class='danger'>[new_xeno] bursts out of [owner]!</span>", "<span class='userdanger'>You exit [owner], your previous host.</span>", "<span class='italics'>You hear organic matter ripping and tearing!</span>")
 		owner.apply_damage(rand(100,300),BRUTE,zone,FALSE) //Random high damage to torso so health sensors don't metagame.
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@
 	else //When it is removed via surgery at a late stage, rather than forced.
 		new_xeno.visible_message("<span class='danger'>[new_xeno] wriggles out of [owner]!</span>", "<span class='userdanger'>You exit [owner], your previous host.</span>")
 		owner.adjustBruteLoss(40)
-	owner.cut_overlay(overlay)
+	old_owner.cut_overlay(overlay)
 	qdel(src)