diff --git a/code/modules/power/smes.dm b/code/modules/power/smes.dm
index 80420e8dba1..cf025d60a9e 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/smes.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/smes.dm
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
 		MC += PC.maxcharge
 		C += PC.charge
 	capacity = MC / (15000) * 1e6
-	if(!charge)
+	if(!initial(charge))
 		charge = C / 15000 * 1e6
 
 /obj/machinery/power/smes/attackby(obj/item/I, mob/user, params)