diff --git a/rmgpy/molecule/molecule.py b/rmgpy/molecule/molecule.py
index 145cd0ad09..cc8d024992 100644
--- a/rmgpy/molecule/molecule.py
+++ b/rmgpy/molecule/molecule.py
@@ -410,6 +410,7 @@ def increment_radical(self):
         where `radical` specifies the number of radical electrons to add.
         """
         # Set the new radical electron count
+        if self.is_surface_site(): return # do nothing
         self.radical_electrons += 1
         if self.radical_electrons <= 0:
             raise gr.ActionError('Unable to update Atom due to GAIN_RADICAL action: '
@@ -421,6 +422,7 @@ def decrement_radical(self):
         where `radical` specifies the number of radical electrons to remove.
         """
         cython.declare(radical_electrons=cython.short)
+        if self.is_surface_site(): return # do nothing
         # Set the new radical electron count
         radical_electrons = self.radical_electrons = self.radical_electrons - 1
         if radical_electrons < 0:
@@ -443,6 +445,7 @@ def increment_lone_pairs(self):
         Update the lone electron pairs pattern as a result of applying a GAIN_PAIR action.
         """
         # Set the new lone electron pairs count
+        if self.is_surface_site(): return # do nothing
         self.lone_pairs += 1
         if self.lone_pairs <= 0:
             raise gr.ActionError('Unable to update Atom due to GAIN_PAIR action: '
@@ -453,6 +456,7 @@ def decrement_lone_pairs(self):
         """
         Update the lone electron pairs pattern as a result of applying a LOSE_PAIR action.
         """
+        if self.is_surface_site(): return # do nothing
         # Set the new lone electron pairs count
         self.lone_pairs -= 1
         if self.lone_pairs < 0:
diff --git a/rmgpy/molecule/moleculeTest.py b/rmgpy/molecule/moleculeTest.py
index 40a998bba7..36c872ec12 100644
--- a/rmgpy/molecule/moleculeTest.py
+++ b/rmgpy/molecule/moleculeTest.py
@@ -312,7 +312,10 @@ def test_apply_action_gain_radical(self):
             atom = atom0.copy()
             atom.apply_action(action)
             self.assertEqual(atom0.element, atom.element)
-            self.assertEqual(atom0.radical_electrons, atom.radical_electrons - 1)
+            if element.symbol == 'X':
+                self.assertEqual(atom0.radical_electrons, atom.radical_electrons)
+            else:
+                self.assertEqual(atom0.radical_electrons, atom.radical_electrons - 1)
             self.assertEqual(atom0.charge, atom.charge)
             self.assertEqual(atom0.label, atom.label)
 
@@ -326,7 +329,10 @@ def test_apply_action_lose_radical(self):
             atom = atom0.copy()
             atom.apply_action(action)
             self.assertEqual(atom0.element, atom.element)
-            self.assertEqual(atom0.radical_electrons, atom.radical_electrons + 1)
+            if element.symbol == 'X':
+                self.assertEqual(atom0.radical_electrons, atom.radical_electrons)
+            else:
+                self.assertEqual(atom0.radical_electrons, atom.radical_electrons + 1)
             self.assertEqual(atom0.charge, atom.charge)
             self.assertEqual(atom0.label, atom.label)