diff --git a/code/game/machinery/computer/teleporter.dm b/code/game/machinery/computer/teleporter.dm
index 0e6a059c7b..f4f20aecc9 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/computer/teleporter.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/computer/teleporter.dm
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
 					L[avoid_assoc_duplicate_keys(M.real_name, areaindex)] = M
 
 		var/desc = input("Please select a location to lock in.", "Locking Computer") as null|anything in L
-		if(!user.canUseTopic(src, BE_CLOSE, NO_DEXTERY)) //check if we are still around
+		if(!user.canUseTopic(src, !issilicon(user), NO_DEXTERY)) //check if we are still around
 			return
 		target = L[desc]
 		if(imp_t)
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='alert'>No active connected stations located.</span>")
 			return
 		var/desc = input("Please select a station to lock in.", "Locking Computer") as null|anything in L
-		if(!user.canUseTopic(src, BE_CLOSE, NO_DEXTERY)) //again, check if we are still around
+		if(!user.canUseTopic(src, !issilicon(user), NO_DEXTERY)) //again, check if we are still around
 			return
 		var/obj/machinery/teleport/station/target_station = L[desc]
 		if(!target_station || !target_station.teleporter_hub)