diff --git a/code/ZAS/Phoron.dm b/code/ZAS/Phoron.dm
index 5de9359184..1e3df5292a 100644
--- a/code/ZAS/Phoron.dm
+++ b/code/ZAS/Phoron.dm
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@ obj/var/contaminated = 0
 			if(wear_suit.flags & PHORONGUARD) return 1
 		else
 			if(wear_suit.flags_inv & HIDEJUMPSUIT) return 1
+		//should check HIDETAIL as well, but for the moment tails are not a part that can be damaged separately
 	return 0
 
 /mob/living/carbon/human/proc/suit_contamination()
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/update_icons.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/update_icons.dm
index 63c798d4bf..2c4a381d6e 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/update_icons.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/update_icons.dm
@@ -737,12 +737,12 @@ proc/get_damage_icon_part(damage_state, body_part)
 /mob/living/carbon/human/proc/update_tail_showing(var/update_icons=1)
 	overlays_standing[TAIL_LAYER] = null
 
-	if(species.tail && species.flags & HAS_TAIL)
-		if(!wear_suit || !(wear_suit.flags_inv & HIDEJUMPSUIT) && !istype(wear_suit, /obj/item/clothing/suit/space))
+	if(species.tail && species.flags & HAS_TAIL)
+		if(!wear_suit || !(wear_suit.flags_inv & HIDETAIL) && !istype(wear_suit, /obj/item/clothing/suit/space))
 			var/icon/tail_s = new/icon("icon" = 'icons/effects/species.dmi', "icon_state" = "[species.tail]_s")
 			tail_s.Blend(rgb(r_skin, g_skin, b_skin), ICON_ADD)
 
-			overlays_standing[TAIL_LAYER]	= image(tail_s)
+			overlays_standing[TAIL_LAYER]	= image(tail_s)
 
 	if(update_icons)
 		update_icons()
diff --git a/code/setup.dm b/code/setup.dm
index 8bf2d9eb08..0392d83c37 100644
--- a/code/setup.dm
+++ b/code/setup.dm
@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@ var/MAX_EXPLOSION_RANGE = 14
 #define HIDESUITSTORAGE	2	//APPLIES ONLY TO THE EXTERIOR SUIT!!
 #define HIDEJUMPSUIT	4	//APPLIES ONLY TO THE EXTERIOR SUIT!!
 #define HIDESHOES		8	//APPLIES ONLY TO THE EXTERIOR SUIT!!
+#define HIDETAIL 		16	//APPLIES ONLY TO THE EXTERIOR SUIT!!
 #define HIDEMASK	1	//APPLIES ONLY TO HELMETS/MASKS!!
 #define HIDEEARS	2	//APPLIES ONLY TO HELMETS/MASKS!! (ears means headsets and such)
 #define HIDEEYES	4	//APPLIES ONLY TO HELMETS/MASKS!! (eyes means glasses)