diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/lists.dm b/code/__HELPERS/lists.dm
index 2ec7b4c407f..66ae50cf852 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/lists.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/lists.dm
@@ -342,4 +342,10 @@
 	for(var/datum/D in L)
 		if(D.vars.Find(varname))
 			if(D.vars[varname] == value)
-				return D
\ No newline at end of file
+				return D
+
+//remove all nulls from a list
+/proc/removeNullsFromList(list/L)
+	while(L.Remove(null))
+		continue
+	return L
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/modules/events/brand_intelligence.dm b/code/modules/events/brand_intelligence.dm
index 9a55d77b4ad..f373fad4af6 100644
--- a/code/modules/events/brand_intelligence.dm
+++ b/code/modules/events/brand_intelligence.dm
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 /datum/round_event/brand_intelligence
 	announceWhen	= 21
 	endWhen			= 1000	//Ends when all vending machines are subverted anyway.
-
 	var/list/obj/machinery/vending/vendingMachines = list()
 	var/list/obj/machinery/vending/infectedMachines = list()
 	var/obj/machinery/vending/originMachine
@@ -28,11 +27,9 @@
 	for(var/obj/machinery/vending/V in machines)
 		if(V.z != 1)	continue
 		vendingMachines.Add(V)
-
 	if(!vendingMachines.len)
 		kill()
 		return
-
 	originMachine = pick(vendingMachines)
 	vendingMachines.Remove(originMachine)
 	originMachine.shut_up = 0
@@ -48,7 +45,7 @@
 			originMachine.visible_message("[originMachine] beeps and seems lifeless.")
 		kill()
 		return
-
+	vendingMachines = removeNullsFromList(vendingMachines)
 	if(!vendingMachines.len)	//if every machine is infected
 		for(var/obj/machinery/vending/upriser in infectedMachines)
 			if(prob(70) && !upriser.gc_destroyed)
@@ -62,7 +59,6 @@
 
 		kill()
 		return
-
 	if(IsMultiple(activeFor, 4))
 		var/obj/machinery/vending/rebel = pick(vendingMachines)
 		vendingMachines.Remove(rebel)