diff --git a/code/modules/assembly/proximity.dm b/code/modules/assembly/proximity.dm
index 56fdc8629bf..00b1939a52d 100644
--- a/code/modules/assembly/proximity.dm
+++ b/code/modules/assembly/proximity.dm
@@ -90,11 +90,12 @@
 /obj/item/assembly/prox_sensor/proc/sense()
 	if(!scanning || !secured || next_activate > world.time)
 		return FALSE
+	next_activate = world.time + (3 SECONDS) // this must happen before anything else
 	pulse()
 	audible_message("<span class='infoplain'>[icon2html(src, hearers(src))] *beep* *beep* *beep*</span>", null, hearing_range)
 	for(var/mob/hearing_mob in get_hearers_in_view(hearing_range, src))
 		hearing_mob.playsound_local(get_turf(src), 'sound/machines/triple_beep.ogg', ASSEMBLY_BEEP_VOLUME, TRUE)
-	next_activate = world.time + 30
+
 	return TRUE
 
 /obj/item/assembly/prox_sensor/process(delta_time)