diff --git a/code/modules/research/xenoarchaeology/artifact/artifact_replicator.dm b/code/modules/research/xenoarchaeology/artifact/artifact_replicator.dm
index 1b3afdd22c..4108986789 100644
--- a/code/modules/research/xenoarchaeology/artifact/artifact_replicator.dm
+++ b/code/modules/research/xenoarchaeology/artifact/artifact_replicator.dm
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@
 						spawned_obj.desc += " It is made of [source_material]."
 					else
 						spawned_obj.desc = "It is made of [source_material]."
-				source_material.loc = null
+				del(source_material)
 
 			spawn_progress_time = 0
 			max_spawn_time = rand(30,100)