diff --git a/code/modules/antagonists/malf_ai/malf_ai_modules.dm b/code/modules/antagonists/malf_ai/malf_ai_modules.dm
index 2462139044d..bf213f0b3de 100644
--- a/code/modules/antagonists/malf_ai/malf_ai_modules.dm
+++ b/code/modules/antagonists/malf_ai/malf_ai_modules.dm
@@ -455,15 +455,15 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(malf_modules, subtypesof(/datum/ai_module))
 		return FALSE
 
 	caller.playsound_local(caller, 'sound/misc/interference.ogg', 50, FALSE, use_reverb = FALSE)
-	adjust_uses(-1)
-
-	if(uses)
-		desc = "[initial(desc)] It has [uses] use\s remaining."
-		build_all_button_icons()
 
 	clicked_machine.audible_message(span_userdanger("You hear a loud electrical buzzing sound coming from [clicked_machine]!"))
 	addtimer(CALLBACK(src, PROC_REF(animate_machine), caller, clicked_machine), 5 SECONDS) //kabeep!
 	unset_ranged_ability(caller, span_danger("Sending override signal..."))
+	adjust_uses(-1) //adjust after we unset the active ability since we may run out of charges, thus deleting the ability
+
+	if(uses)
+		desc = "[initial(desc)] It has [uses] use\s remaining."
+		build_all_button_icons()
 	return TRUE
 
 /datum/action/innate/ai/ranged/override_machine/proc/animate_machine(mob/living/caller, obj/machinery/to_animate)