diff --git a/code/modules/jobs/job_types/cargo_service.dm b/code/modules/jobs/job_types/cargo_service.dm
index 7129e39b12f..9fe97f82534 100644
--- a/code/modules/jobs/job_types/cargo_service.dm
+++ b/code/modules/jobs/job_types/cargo_service.dm
@@ -277,4 +277,4 @@ Janitor
 	belt = /obj/item/device/pda/janitor
 	ears = /obj/item/device/radio/headset/headset_srv
 	uniform = /obj/item/clothing/under/rank/janitor
-	backpack_contents = list(/obj/item/device/modular_computer/tablet/preset/advanced=1)
+	backpack_contents = list(/obj/item/device/modular_computer/tablet/preset/advanced=1, /obj/item/soapstone/empty=1)
diff --git a/code/modules/library/soapstone.dm b/code/modules/library/soapstone.dm
index 63216572761..a512f12125d 100644
--- a/code/modules/library/soapstone.dm
+++ b/code/modules/library/soapstone.dm
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 /obj/item/soapstone
 	name = "chisel"
-	desc = "Leave informative messages for the crew, including the crew of future shifts!\n(Not suitable for engraving on shuttles, off station or on cats. Side effects may include beatings, bannings and orbital bombardment.)"
+	desc = "Leave informative messages for the crew, including the crew of future shifts!\nEven if out of uses, it can still be used to remove messages.\n(Not suitable for engraving on shuttles, off station or on cats. Side effects may include beatings, bannings and orbital bombardment.)"
 	icon = 'icons/obj/items.dmi'
 	icon_state = "soapstone"
 	throw_speed = 3
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 /obj/item/soapstone/New()
 	. = ..()
 	random_name()
+	check_name() // could start empty
 
 /obj/item/soapstone/proc/random_name()
 	name = pick("soapstone", "chisel", "chalk", "magic marker")
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@
 	if(already_message)
 		our_message = already_message.creator_key == user.ckey
 
-	if(!remaining_uses && !our_message)
+	if(!remaining_uses && !already_message)
 		// The dull chisel is dull.
 		user << "<span class='warning'>[src] is [w_dull].</span>"
 		return
@@ -73,15 +74,13 @@
 
 		// Removing our own messages refunds a charge
 
-		if((our_message || can_use()) && do_after(user, tool_speed, target=target) && (our_message || can_use()))
+		if(do_after(user, tool_speed, target=target))
 			user.visible_message("<span class='notice'>[user] has erased [already_message].</span>", "<span class='notice'>You erased [already_message].</span>")
 			already_message.persists = FALSE
 			qdel(already_message)
 			playsound(loc, 'sound/items/gavel.ogg', 50, 1, -1)
 			if(our_message)
 				refund_use()
-			else
-				remove_use()
 		return
 
 	var/message = stripped_input(user, "What would you like to [w_engrave]?", "[name] Message")
@@ -115,18 +114,19 @@
 		return
 
 	remaining_uses--
-	if(!remaining_uses)
-		non_dull_name = name
-		name = "[w_dull] [name]"
+	check_name()
 
 /obj/item/soapstone/proc/refund_use()
 	if(remaining_uses == -1)
 		return
-	var/was_dull = !remaining_uses
 	remaining_uses++
+	check_name()
 
-	if(was_dull)
+/obj/item/soapstone/proc/check_name()
+	if(remaining_uses)
 		name = non_dull_name
+	else
+		name = "[w_dull] [name]"
 
 /* Persistent engraved messages, etched onto the station turfs to serve
    as instructions and/or memes for the next generation of spessmen.
@@ -138,6 +138,9 @@
 /obj/item/soapstone/infinite
 	remaining_uses = -1
 
+/obj/item/soapstone/empty
+	remaining_uses = 0
+
 /proc/good_chisel_message_location(turf/T)
 	if(!T)
 		. = FALSE