 Dictiostelium-dyscoidium cells have evolved a mechanism to detect and respond to damage to their internal membranes. This mechanism involves the recruitment of two proteins, Traffy and Alex, which work together to activate the ESCRT and autophagy pathways. The absence of these proteins leads to impaired clearance of bacterial pathogens and increased cell death. This article was authored by Udmal Raykov, Manon Mottet, John Nitchka, and others.