diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/automatic.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/automatic.dm
index a05a7676fd5..c38db0b2b2e 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/automatic.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/automatic.dm
@@ -271,8 +271,8 @@
 	update_icon()
 
 /obj/item/weapon/gun/ballistic/automatic/shotgun/bulldog/update_icon()
+	cut_overlays()
 	if(magazine)
-		cut_overlays()
 		add_overlay("[magazine.icon_state]")
 	icon_state = "bulldog[chambered ? "" : "-e"]"