diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species.dm
index ce5d86c33e8..cb413b176dc 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/species.dm
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(roundstart_races)
 		if(!(NOEYESPRITES in species_traits))
 			var/obj/item/organ/eyes/eye_organ = species_human.getorganslot(ORGAN_SLOT_EYES)
 			var/mutable_appearance/no_eyeslay
-			var/list/eye_overlays
+			var/list/eye_overlays = list()
 			var/obscured = species_human.check_obscured_slots(TRUE) //eyes that shine in the dark shouldn't show when you have glasses
 			var/add_pixel_x = 0
 			var/add_pixel_y = 0