diff --git a/code/datums/datum.dm b/code/datums/datum.dm
index 3361229b92e..a4169004fc9 100644
--- a/code/datums/datum.dm
+++ b/code/datums/datum.dm
@@ -111,9 +111,6 @@
 	tag = null
 	datum_flags &= ~DF_USE_TAG //In case something tries to REF us
 	weak_reference = null //ensure prompt GCing of weakref.
-	if(!(datum_flags & DF_STATIC_OBJECT))
-		DREAMLUAU_CLEAR_REF_USERDATA(vars) // vars ceases existing when src does, so we need to clear any lua refs to it that exist.
-		DREAMLUAU_CLEAR_REF_USERDATA(src)
 
 	if(_active_timers)
 		var/list/timers = _active_timers
@@ -145,6 +142,10 @@
 	_clear_signal_refs()
 	//END: ECS SHIT
 
+	if(!(datum_flags & DF_STATIC_OBJECT))
+		DREAMLUAU_CLEAR_REF_USERDATA(vars) // vars ceases existing when src does, so we need to clear any lua refs to it that exist.
+		DREAMLUAU_CLEAR_REF_USERDATA(src)
+
 	return QDEL_HINT_QUEUE
 
 ///Only override this if you know what you're doing. You do not know what you're doing