diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/unsorted.dm b/code/__HELPERS/unsorted.dm
index aab766f9e4e..e94fc9f4b00 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/unsorted.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/unsorted.dm
@@ -605,6 +605,18 @@ Turf and target are separate in case you want to teleport some distance from a t
 	GLOB.sortedAreas.Add(src)
 	sortTim(GLOB.sortedAreas, /proc/cmp_name_asc)
 
+//Takes: Area type as a text string from a variable.
+//Returns: Instance for the area in the world.
+/proc/get_area_instance_from_text(areatext)
+	var/areainstance = null
+	if(istext(areatext))
+		areatext = text2path(areatext)
+	for(var/V in GLOB.sortedAreas)
+		var/area/A = V
+		if(A.type == areatext)
+			areainstance = V
+	return areainstance
+
 //Takes: Area type as text string or as typepath OR an instance of the area.
 //Returns: A list of all areas of that type in the world.
 /proc/get_areas(areatype, subtypes=TRUE)
diff --git a/code/game/machinery/porta_turret/portable_turret.dm b/code/game/machinery/porta_turret/portable_turret.dm
index 4628ab8c7b9..f88578bbf9c 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/porta_turret/portable_turret.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/porta_turret/portable_turret.dm
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@
 		return
 
 	if(control_area)
-		control_area = locate(text2path(control_area)) in GLOB.sortedAreas
+		control_area = get_area_instance_from_text(control_area)
 		if(control_area == null)
 			control_area = get_area(src)
 			stack_trace("Bad control_area path for [src], [src.control_area]")
diff --git a/code/modules/power/apc.dm b/code/modules/power/apc.dm
index 907f3791b84..28882a0c7e8 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/apc.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/apc.dm
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
 
 	//if area isn't specified use current
 	if(areastring)
-		src.area = locate(text2path(areastring)) in GLOB.sortedAreas
+		src.area = get_area_instance_from_text(areastring)
 		if(!src.area)
 			src.area = A
 			stack_trace("Bad areastring path for [src], [src.areastring]")