diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/devices/megaphone.dm b/code/game/objects/items/devices/megaphone.dm
index 0f9cf299ec2..718f3ac7219 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/devices/megaphone.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/devices/megaphone.dm
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
 		to_chat(user, span_warning("\The [src] needs to recharge!"))
 	else
 		playsound(loc, 'sound/items/megaphone.ogg', 100, FALSE, TRUE)
-		spamcheck = world.time + 5 SECONDS
 		speech_args[SPEECH_SPANS] |= voicespan
 
 /obj/item/megaphone/proc/add_tts_filter(mob/living/carbon/user, list/message_args)
@@ -44,6 +43,7 @@
 		return
 	if(spamcheck > world.time)
 		return
+	spamcheck = world.time + 5 SECONDS
 	if(obj_flags & EMAGGED)
 		///somewhat compressed and ear-grating, crusty and noisy with a bit of echo.
 		message_args[TREAT_TTS_FILTER_ARG] += "acrusher=samples=9:level_out=7,aecho=delays=100:decays=0.4,aemphasis=type=emi,crystalizer=i=6,acontrast=60,rubberband=pitch=0.9"