diff --git a/code/datums/components/tackle.dm b/code/datums/components/tackle.dm
index 5ab4d8da79d..b6196f608fe 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/tackle.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/tackle.dm
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@
 			shard.embedding = list(embed_chance = 100, ignore_throwspeed_threshold = TRUE, impact_pain_mult=3, pain_chance=5)
 			shard.updateEmbedding()
 			user.hitby(shard, skipcatch = TRUE, hitpush = FALSE)
-			shard.embedding = list()
+			shard.embedding = null
 			shard.updateEmbedding()
 		W.obj_destruction()
 		user.adjustStaminaLoss(10 * speed)
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items.dm b/code/game/objects/items.dm
index 971baf75824..bb4c65c781c 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items.dm
@@ -998,6 +998,7 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(embedpocalypse, FALSE) // if true, all items will be able to emb
 ///For when you want to add/update the embedding on an item. Uses the vars in [/obj/item/var/embedding], and defaults to config values for values that aren't set. Will automatically detach previous embed elements on this item.
 /obj/item/proc/updateEmbedding()
 	if(!LAZYLEN(embedding))
+		disableEmbedding()
 		return
 
 	AddElement(/datum/element/embed,\
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/stacks/rods.dm b/code/game/objects/items/stacks/rods.dm
index 329176c7074..73745be4fec 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/stacks/rods.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/stacks/rods.dm
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(rod_recipes, list ( \
 	attack_verb_continuous = list("hits", "bludgeons", "whacks")
 	attack_verb_simple = list("hit", "bludgeon", "whack")
 	hitsound = 'sound/weapons/gun/general/grenade_launch.ogg'
-	embedding = list()
+	embedding = list(embed_chance = 50)
 	novariants = TRUE
 	matter_amount = 2
 	cost = 250
diff --git a/code/modules/paperwork/pen.dm b/code/modules/paperwork/pen.dm
index 7982ee48ab9..b99e63fa012 100644
--- a/code/modules/paperwork/pen.dm
+++ b/code/modules/paperwork/pen.dm
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 	var/colour = "black" //what colour the ink is!
 	var/degrees = 0
 	var/font = PEN_FONT
-	embedding = list()
+	embedding = list(embed_chance = 50)
 	sharpness = SHARP_POINTY
 
 /obj/item/pen/suicide_act(mob/user)