diff --git a/code/ship/ship.cpp b/code/ship/ship.cpp
index 1747a59eaea..1ebbe72e8e5 100644
--- a/code/ship/ship.cpp
+++ b/code/ship/ship.cpp
@@ -14021,7 +14021,6 @@ void ship_process_targeting_lasers()
 
 			// hmm, why didn't it fire?
 			if(shipp->targeting_laser_objnum < 0){
-				Int3();
 				ship_stop_targeting_laser(shipp);
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/code/weapon/beam.cpp b/code/weapon/beam.cpp
index 4a0a25e13f6..0cd222e3d73 100644
--- a/code/weapon/beam.cpp
+++ b/code/weapon/beam.cpp
@@ -698,7 +698,6 @@ int beam_fire_targeting(fighter_beam_fire_info *fire_info)
 	if(objnum < 0){
 		beam_delete(new_item);
 		nprintf(("General", "obj_create() failed for beam weapon! bah!\n"));
-		Int3();
 		return -1;
 	}
 	new_item->objnum = objnum;	
diff --git a/code/weapon/shockwave.cpp b/code/weapon/shockwave.cpp
index 907d26f7af0..0a339392846 100644
--- a/code/weapon/shockwave.cpp
+++ b/code/weapon/shockwave.cpp
@@ -181,7 +181,8 @@ int shockwave_create(int parent_objnum, const vec3d* pos, const shockwave_create
 	objnum = obj_create( OBJ_SHOCKWAVE, real_parent, i, &orient, &sw->pos, sw->outer_radius, tmp_flags + Object::Object_Flags::Renders, false );
 
 	if ( objnum == -1 ){
-		Int3();
+		mprintf(("Couldn't create shockwave object -- out of object slots\n"));
+		return -1;
 	}
 
 	sw->objnum = objnum;