diff --git a/src/battle_ai_main.c b/src/battle_ai_main.c
index 869f5dded377..1483c875baeb 100644
--- a/src/battle_ai_main.c
+++ b/src/battle_ai_main.c
@@ -4065,7 +4065,7 @@ static u32 AI_CalcMoveEffectScore(u32 battlerAtk, u32 battlerDef, u32 move)
                 ADJUST_SCORE(DECENT_EFFECT); // Force 'em out next turn
             break;
         default:
-            if (move != MOVE_BESTOW && aiData->items[battlerAtk] == ITEM_NONE)
+            if (move != MOVE_BESTOW && aiData->items[battlerAtk] == ITEM_NONE && aiData->items[battlerDef] != ITEM_NONE)
             {
                 switch (aiData->holdEffects[battlerDef])
                 {