diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/xenomorph/mutators/strains/runner/acid.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/xenomorph/mutators/strains/runner/acid.dm
index 3cbe23649a34..7a2196a3c209 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/xenomorph/mutators/strains/runner/acid.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/xenomorph/mutators/strains/runner/acid.dm
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@
 	new /datum/effects/acid(target_mob, bound_xeno, initial(bound_xeno.caste_type))
 	if(isxeno_human(target_mob)) //Will the runner get acid stacks
 		var/obj/item/alien_embryo/embryo = locate(/obj/item/alien_embryo) in target_mob.contents
-		if(embryo?.stage >= 5) //very late stage hugged in case the runner unnests them
+		if(embryo?.stage >= 4) //very late stage hugged in case the runner unnests them
 			return
 
 		if(target_mob.lying)