diff --git a/code/modules/recycling/disposal.dm b/code/modules/recycling/disposal.dm
index 854950c2fc..fe440c0c53 100644
--- a/code/modules/recycling/disposal.dm
+++ b/code/modules/recycling/disposal.dm
@@ -108,16 +108,13 @@
 
 	if(istype(I, /obj/item/weapon/material/ashtray))
 		var/obj/item/weapon/material/ashtray/A = I
-		if(A.contents.len == 0)
-			user.visible_message("<span class='notice'>\The [user] places \the [A.name] into [src].</span>")
-			I.forceMove(src)
-		else
+		if(A.contents.len > 0)
 			user.visible_message("<span class='notice'>\The [user] empties \the [A.name] into [src].</span>")
 			for(var/obj/item/O in A.contents)
 				O.forceMove(src)
-		A.update_icon()
-		update()
-		return
+			A.update_icon()
+			update()
+			return
 
 	var/obj/item/weapon/grab/G = I
 	if(istype(G))	// handle grabbed mob