diff --git a/Tactical/Handle Items.cpp b/Tactical/Handle Items.cpp
index a79cb00b..e1bb79ba 100644
--- a/Tactical/Handle Items.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Handle Items.cpp	
@@ -1248,7 +1248,7 @@ INT32 HandleItem( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier, INT32 sGridNo, INT8 bLevel, UINT16 usHa
 	}
 
 	// Flugente: handcuffing people
-	if ( gGameExternalOptions.fAllowPrisonerSystem && HasItemFlag(usHandItem, HANDCUFFS ) )
+	if ( gGameExternalOptions.fAllowPrisonerSystem && HasItemFlag( usHandItem, HANDCUFFS ) && pTargetSoldier && pTargetSoldier->CanBeHandcuffed( ) )
 	{
 		// ATE: AI CANNOT GO THROUGH HERE!
 		INT32 usMapPos;
diff --git a/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp b/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp
index f656cc8b..a7b963a7 100644
--- a/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Soldier Control.cpp	
@@ -16170,6 +16170,16 @@ BOOLEAN		SOLDIERTYPE::FreePrisoner( )
 	return FALSE;
 }
 
+// can this guy be handcuffed?
+BOOLEAN		SOLDIERTYPE::CanBeHandcuffed( )
+{
+	// if this is an enemy that has not already been captured, and is not a NPC, we can handcuff and thus capture him
+	if ( this->bTeam == ENEMY_TEAM && !(this->usSoldierFlagMask & SOLDIER_POW) && this->ubProfile == NO_PROFILE )
+		return TRUE;
+
+	return FALSE;
+}
+
 // Flugente: scuba gear
 BOOLEAN		SOLDIERTYPE::UsesScubaGear( )
 {
@@ -19829,7 +19839,7 @@ void SOLDIERTYPE::EVENT_SoldierHandcuffPerson( INT32 sGridNo, UINT8 ubDirection
 
 	UINT8 ubPerson = WhoIsThere2( sGridNo, this->pathing.bLevel );
 
-	if ( ubPerson != NOBODY && MercPtrs[ubPerson]->bTeam == ENEMY_TEAM && !(MercPtrs[ubPerson]->usSoldierFlagMask & SOLDIER_POW) )
+	if ( ubPerson != NOBODY && MercPtrs[ubPerson]->CanBeHandcuffed( ) )
 	{
 		// we found someone we can handcuff
 		SOLDIERTYPE* pSoldier = MercPtrs[ubPerson];
diff --git a/Tactical/Soldier Control.h b/Tactical/Soldier Control.h
index 4dab51b9..fa886f20 100644
--- a/Tactical/Soldier Control.h	
+++ b/Tactical/Soldier Control.h	
@@ -1769,6 +1769,7 @@ public:
 	BOOLEAN		CanProcessPrisoners();
 	UINT32		GetSurrenderStrength();
 	BOOLEAN		FreePrisoner();					// used for an enemy liberating fellow prisoners 
+	BOOLEAN		CanBeHandcuffed();				// can this guy be handcuffed?
 
 	// Flugente: scuba gear
 	BOOLEAN		UsesScubaGear();
diff --git a/Tactical/UI Cursors.cpp b/Tactical/UI Cursors.cpp
index 4590c594..6eab2c37 100644
--- a/Tactical/UI Cursors.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/UI Cursors.cpp	
@@ -2253,11 +2253,9 @@ UINT8 HandleHandcuffCursor( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier, INT32 sGridNo, UINT32 uiCurso
 	{
 		// is there a person here?
 		UINT8 usSoldierIndex = WhoIsThere2( sGridNo, pSoldier->pathing.bLevel );
-		if ( usSoldierIndex != NOBODY )
+		if ( usSoldierIndex != NOBODY && MercPtrs[usSoldierIndex]->CanBeHandcuffed( ) )
 		{
-			// no handcuffing if the guy is already caught...
-			if ( !(MercPtrs[usSoldierIndex]->usSoldierFlagMask & SOLDIER_POW) )
-				return( HANDCUFF_GREY_UICURSOR );
+			return( HANDCUFF_GREY_UICURSOR );
 		}
 	}