diff --git a/code/modules/mob/dead/dead.dm b/code/modules/mob/dead/dead.dm
index 1cbb6b5efcf..cddc12fe3d9 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/dead/dead.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/dead/dead.dm
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ INITIALIZE_IMMEDIATE(/mob/dead)
 	if(flags_1 & INITIALIZED_1)
 		stack_trace("Warning: [src]([type]) initialized multiple times!")
 	flags_1 |= INITIALIZED_1
-	SET_PLANE_IMPLICIT(src, plane)
+	// Initial is non standard here, but ghosts move before they get here so it's needed. this is a cold path too so it's ok
+	SET_PLANE_IMPLICIT(src, initial(plane))
 	tag = "mob_[next_mob_id++]"
 	add_to_mob_list()