diff --git a/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm b/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
index 06a4aac8358..6bbdabfc50d 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ multiple modular subtrees with behaviors
 	set_ai_status(AI_STATUS_ON) //Can't do anything while player is connected
 	RegisterSignal(pawn, COMSIG_MOB_LOGIN, PROC_REF(on_sentience_gained))
 
-// Turn the controller off the controller if the pawn has been qdeleted
+// Turn the controller off if the pawn has been qdeleted
 /datum/ai_controller/proc/on_pawn_qdeleted()
 	SIGNAL_HANDLER
 	set_ai_status(AI_STATUS_OFF)
diff --git a/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_behaviors.dm b/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_behaviors.dm
index b041ec763a8..d16110cd702 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_behaviors.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_behaviors.dm
@@ -221,6 +221,12 @@
 	// note they might immediately reduce threat and drop from the list.
 	// this is fine, we're just giving them a love tap then leaving them alone.
 	// unless they fight back, then we retaliate
+
+	// Some mobs delete on death. If the target is no longer alive, go back to idle
+	if(QDELETED(target))
+		finish_action(controller, TRUE)
+		return
+
 	if(isnull(controller.blackboard[BB_MONKEY_ENEMIES][target]))
 		controller.set_blackboard_key_assoc(BB_MONKEY_ENEMIES, target, 1)
 
@@ -298,7 +304,7 @@
 	var/mob/living/living_pawn = controller.pawn
 
 	for(var/mob/living/nearby_monkey in view(living_pawn, MONKEY_ENEMY_VISION))
-		if(!HAS_AI_CONTROLLER_TYPE(nearby_monkey, /datum/ai_controller/monkey))
+		if(QDELETED(nearby_monkey) || !HAS_AI_CONTROLLER_TYPE(nearby_monkey, /datum/ai_controller/monkey))
 			continue
 		if(!SPT_PROB(MONKEY_RECRUIT_PROB, seconds_per_tick))
 			continue
diff --git a/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_controller.dm b/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_controller.dm
index 951147007f9..781bfb70a85 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_controller.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_controller.dm
@@ -147,8 +147,12 @@ have ways of interacting with a specific mob and control it.
 	return TRUE
 
 ///Reactive events to being hit
-/datum/ai_controller/monkey/proc/retaliate(mob/living/L)
-	add_blackboard_key_assoc(BB_MONKEY_ENEMIES, L, MONKEY_HATRED_AMOUNT)
+/datum/ai_controller/monkey/proc/retaliate(mob/living/living_mob)
+	// just to be safe
+	if(QDELETED(living_mob))
+		return
+
+	add_blackboard_key_assoc(BB_MONKEY_ENEMIES, living_mob, MONKEY_HATRED_AMOUNT)
 
 /datum/ai_controller/monkey/proc/on_attacked(datum/source, mob/attacker)
 	SIGNAL_HANDLER