diff --git a/code/datums/dna.dm b/code/datums/dna.dm
index 849c0f542a1..0237d4c3590 100644
--- a/code/datums/dna.dm
+++ b/code/datums/dna.dm
@@ -121,7 +121,11 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(total_uf_len_by_block, populate_total_uf_len_by_block())
 	new_dna.unique_features = unique_features
 	new_dna.blood_type = blood_type
 	new_dna.features = features.Copy()
-	new_dna.holder.set_species(species.type, icon_update = 0)
+	//if the new DNA has a holder, transform them immediately, otherwise save it
+	if(new_dna.holder)
+		new_dna.holder.set_species(species.type, icon_update = 0)
+	else
+		new_dna.species = species
 	new_dna.real_name = real_name
 	// Mutations aren't gc managed, but they still aren't templates
 	// Let's do a proper copy