diff --git a/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/movements/MovementPillar.java b/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/movements/MovementPillar.java
index 18a248c1..92ac6cbe 100644
--- a/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/movements/MovementPillar.java
+++ b/src/main/java/baritone/pathing/movement/movements/MovementPillar.java
@@ -82,6 +82,9 @@ public class MovementPillar extends Movement {
             if (placeCost >= COST_INF) {
                 return COST_INF;
             }
+            if (fromDown.getBlock() == Blocks.AIR) {
+                placeCost += 0.1; // slightly (1/200th of a second) penalize pillaring on what's currently air
+            }
         }
         if (from instanceof BlockLiquid || (fromDown.getBlock() instanceof BlockLiquid && context.assumeWalkOnWater)) {
             // otherwise, if we're standing in water, we cannot pillar
diff --git a/src/main/java/baritone/utils/PathingControlManager.java b/src/main/java/baritone/utils/PathingControlManager.java
index 1368658b..d9879088 100644
--- a/src/main/java/baritone/utils/PathingControlManager.java
+++ b/src/main/java/baritone/utils/PathingControlManager.java
@@ -82,11 +82,12 @@ public class PathingControlManager implements IPathingControlManager {
 
     public void preTick() {
         inControlLastTick = inControlThisTick;
+        PathingBehavior p = baritone.getPathingBehavior();
         command = doTheStuff();
         if (command == null) {
+            p.cancelSegmentIfSafe();
             return;
         }
-        PathingBehavior p = baritone.getPathingBehavior();
         switch (command.commandType) {
             case REQUEST_PAUSE:
                 p.requestPause();