diff --git a/code/game/antagonist/station/rogue_ai.dm b/code/game/antagonist/station/rogue_ai.dm
index cc8a596496f..372556c2051 100644
--- a/code/game/antagonist/station/rogue_ai.dm
+++ b/code/game/antagonist/station/rogue_ai.dm
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ var/datum/antagonist/rogue_ai/malf
 	var/station_captured
 	var/can_nuke = 0
 
+/datum/antagonist/rogue_ai/New()
+	..()
+	malf = src
+
 /datum/antagonist/rogue_ai/proc/hack_apc(var/obj/machinery/power/apc/apc)
 	hacked_apcs |= apc
 
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/ai/ai.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/ai/ai.dm
index 9dcf84f7766..5adf82f5e84 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/ai/ai.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/ai/ai.dm
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ var/list/ai_verbs_default = list(
 
 	src << radio_text
 
-	if (!(ticker && ticker.mode && (mind in malf.current_antagonists)))
+	if (malf && !(mind in malf.current_antagonists))
 		show_laws()
 		src << "<b>These laws may be changed by other players, or by you being the traitor.</b>"