diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/ammunition/_firing.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/ammunition/_firing.dm
index 5993089b43e..c89763ef9f7 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/ammunition/_firing.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/ammunition/_firing.dm
@@ -66,8 +66,9 @@
 	if(!direct_target)
 		var/modifiers = params2list(params)
 		loaded_projectile.preparePixelProjectile(target, user, modifiers, spread)
-	loaded_projectile.fire(null, direct_target)
+	var/obj/projectile/loaded_projectile_cache = loaded_projectile
 	loaded_projectile = null
+	loaded_projectile_cache.fire(null, direct_target)
 	return TRUE
 
 /obj/item/ammo_casing/proc/spread(turf/target, turf/current, distro)