diff --git a/code/controllers/configuration.dm b/code/controllers/configuration.dm
index 28474518c3..d08823475b 100644
--- a/code/controllers/configuration.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/configuration.dm
@@ -61,10 +61,10 @@
 	var/guest_jobban = 1
 	var/usewhitelist = 0
 	var/kick_inactive = 0				//force disconnect for inactive players
-	var/show_mods
-	var/show_mentors
-	var/mods_can_tempban
-	var/mods_can_job_tempban
+	var/show_mods = 0
+	var/show_mentors = 0
+	var/mods_can_tempban = 0
+	var/mods_can_job_tempban = 0
 	var/mod_tempban_max = 1440
 	var/mod_job_tempban_max = 1440
 	var/load_jobs_from_txt = 0
diff --git a/code/modules/admin/topic.dm b/code/modules/admin/topic.dm
index e3004d7b41..19894adf35 100644
--- a/code/modules/admin/topic.dm
+++ b/code/modules/admin/topic.dm
@@ -660,9 +660,11 @@
 
 	//JOBBAN'S INNARDS
 	else if(href_list["jobban3"])
-		if(!check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_ADMIN))  return
+		if(!check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_ADMIN,0))
+			usr << "<span class='warning'>You do not have the appropriate permissions to add job bans!</span>"
+			return
 
-		if(check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_ADMIN) && !config.mods_can_job_tempban) // If mod and tempban disabled
+		if(check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_ADMIN,0) && !config.mods_can_job_tempban) // If mod and tempban disabled
 			usr << "<span class='warning'>Mod jobbanning is disabled!</span>"
 			return
 
@@ -739,14 +741,14 @@
 		if(notbannedlist.len) //at least 1 unbanned job exists in joblist so we have stuff to ban.
 			switch(alert("Temporary Ban?",,"Yes","No", "Cancel"))
 				if("Yes")
-					if(!check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_BAN))  return
+					if(!check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_BAN, 0))  return
 					if(config.ban_legacy_system)
 						usr << "\red Your server is using the legacy banning system, which does not support temporary job bans. Consider upgrading. Aborting ban."
 						return
 					var/mins = input(usr,"How long (in minutes)?","Ban time",1440) as num|null
 					if(!mins)
 						return
-					if(check_rights(R_MOD, 0) && !check_rights(R_BAN) && mins > config.mod_job_tempban_max)
+					if(check_rights(R_MOD, 0) && !check_rights(R_BAN, 0) && mins > config.mod_job_tempban_max)
 						usr << "<span class='warning'> Moderators can only job tempban up to [config.mod_job_tempban_max] minutes!</span>"
 						return
 					var/reason = input(usr,"Reason?","Please State Reason","") as text|null
@@ -857,9 +859,11 @@
 				DB_ban_unban(ckey(key), BANTYPE_JOB_PERMA, job)
 
 	else if(href_list["newban"])
-		if(!check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_BAN))  return
+		if(!check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_BAN, 0))
+			usr << "<span class='warning'>You do not have the appropriate permissions to add bans!</span>"
+		return
 
-		if(check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_ADMIN) && !config.mods_can_job_tempban) // If mod and tempban disabled
+		if(check_rights(R_MOD,0) && !check_rights(R_ADMIN, 0) && !config.mods_can_job_tempban) // If mod and tempban disabled
 			usr << "<span class='warning'>Mod jobbanning is disabled!</span>"
 			return
 
@@ -873,7 +877,7 @@
 				var/mins = input(usr,"How long (in minutes)?","Ban time",1440) as num|null
 				if(!mins)
 					return
-				if(check_rights(R_MOD, 0) && !check_rights(R_BAN) && mins > config.mod_tempban_max)
+				if(check_rights(R_MOD, 0) && !check_rights(R_BAN, 0) && mins > config.mod_tempban_max)
 					usr << "<span class='warning'>Moderators can only job tempban up to [config.mod_tempban_max] minutes!</span>"
 					return
 				if(mins >= 525600) mins = 525599