diff --git a/code/datums/elements/strippable.dm b/code/datums/elements/strippable.dm
index f47a66ac317..8bd13b24002 100644
--- a/code/datums/elements/strippable.dm
+++ b/code/datums/elements/strippable.dm
@@ -449,9 +449,11 @@
 
 					// They equipped an item in the meantime
 					if (!isnull(strippable_item.get_item(owner)))
+						user.put_in_hands(held_item)
 						return
 
 					if (!user.Adjacent(owner))
+						user.put_in_hands(held_item)
 						return
 
 					strippable_item.finish_equip(owner, held_item, user)