diff --git a/modular_skyrat/modules/aesthetics/airlock/code/airlock.dm b/modular_skyrat/modules/aesthetics/airlock/code/airlock.dm
index 95bd2c5d49f..ed90561b93f 100644
--- a/modular_skyrat/modules/aesthetics/airlock/code/airlock.dm
+++ b/modular_skyrat/modules/aesthetics/airlock/code/airlock.dm
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@
 
 /obj/machinery/door/airlock/update_overlays()
 	. = ..()
+	if(QDELETED(src))
+		return
+	if(isnull(overlays_file))
+		return
 	var/frame_state
 	var/light_state = AIRLOCK_LIGHT_POWERON
 	if(machine_stat & MAINT) // in the process of being emagged
@@ -324,10 +328,6 @@
 	icon = 'modular_skyrat/modules/aesthetics/airlock/icons/airlocks/highsec/highsec.dmi'
 	overlays_file = 'modular_skyrat/modules/aesthetics/airlock/icons/airlocks/highsec/overlays.dmi'
 
-//NUKIE AIRLOCK - Already looks great, this makes it call for no overlay emissives like on upstream... again.
-/obj/machinery/door/airlock/highsecurity/syndicate
-	overlays_file = null
-
 //TITANIUM / SHUTTLE
 /obj/machinery/door/airlock/titanium
 	icon = 'modular_skyrat/modules/aesthetics/airlock/icons/airlocks/shuttle/shuttle.dmi'