diff --git a/src/monsters.c b/src/monsters.c
index 4f69806e8..3fbda5215 100644
--- a/src/monsters.c
+++ b/src/monsters.c
@@ -167,6 +167,9 @@ static order *monster_attack(unit * u, const unit * target)
 {
     assert(u->region == target->region);
     assert(u->faction != target->faction);
+    if (is_paused(target->faction)) {
+        return NULL;
+    }
     if (!cansee(u->faction, u->region, target, 0)) {
         return NULL;
     }