diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
index ce906565d2..b66ebdb001 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 	if(def_zone)
 		if(isbodypart(def_zone))
-			return checkarmor(def_zone, type)
+			var/obj/item/bodypart/bp = def_zone
+			if(bp.body_part)
+				return checkarmor(def_zone, type)
 		var/obj/item/bodypart/affecting = get_bodypart(ran_zone(def_zone))
 		return checkarmor(affecting, type)
 		//If a specific bodypart is targetted, check how that bodypart is protected and return the value.