diff --git a/code/ATMOSPHERICS/pipes/heat_exchange/he_pipes.dm b/code/ATMOSPHERICS/pipes/heat_exchange/he_pipes.dm
index f9797d8df02..8920b51e916 100644
--- a/code/ATMOSPHERICS/pipes/heat_exchange/he_pipes.dm
+++ b/code/ATMOSPHERICS/pipes/heat_exchange/he_pipes.dm
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
 
 /obj/machinery/atmospherics/pipe/heat_exchanging/process()
 	var/datum/gas_mixture/pipe_air = return_air()
-	if(!return_air)
+	if(!pipe_air)
 		return //machines subsystem fires before atmos is initialized so this prevents race condition runtimes
 
 	//Heat causes pipe to glow
@@ -76,4 +76,4 @@
 	if(buckled_mob)
 		var/heat_limit = 1000
 		if(pipe_air.temperature > heat_limit + 1)
-			buckled_mob.apply_damage(4 * log(pipe_air.temperature - heat_limit), BURN, "chest")
\ No newline at end of file
+			buckled_mob.apply_damage(4 * log(pipe_air.temperature - heat_limit), BURN, "chest")