diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
index f1f0386c64..8456c72e68 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
     std::pair<int, std::string> Weapon::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const
     {
-        if (ptr.getCellRef().getCharge() == 0)
+        if (hasItemHealth(ptr) && ptr.getCellRef().getCharge() == 0)
             return std::make_pair(0, "#{sInventoryMessage1}");
 
         std::pair<std::vector<int>, bool> slots_ = ptr.getClass().getEquipmentSlots(ptr);