diff --git a/code/modules/multiz/stairs.dm b/code/modules/multiz/stairs.dm
index f470ba56df..fd9702b9de 100644
--- a/code/modules/multiz/stairs.dm
+++ b/code/modules/multiz/stairs.dm
@@ -214,11 +214,15 @@
 		if(L.buckled)
 			L.buckled.forceMove(get_turf(top))
 
+		var/atom/movable/P = null
+		if(L.pulling && !L.pulling.anchored)
+			P = L.pulling
+			P.forceMove(get_turf(L))
+
 		L.forceMove(get_turf(top))
 
 		// If the object is pulling or grabbing anything, we'll want to move those too. A grab chain may be disrupted in doing so.
-		if(L.pulling && !L.pulling.anchored)
-			var/atom/movable/P = L.pulling
+		if(P)
 			P.forceMove(get_turf(top))
 			L.continue_pulling(P)
 
@@ -469,11 +473,15 @@
 		if(L.buckled)
 			L.buckled.forceMove(get_turf(bottom))
 
+		var/atom/movable/P = null
+		if(L.pulling && !L.pulling.anchored)
+			P = L.pulling
+			P.forceMove(get_turf(L))
+
 		L.forceMove(get_turf(bottom))
 
 		// If the object is pulling or grabbing anything, we'll want to move those too. A grab chain may be disrupted in doing so.
-		if(L.pulling && !L.pulling.anchored)
-			var/atom/movable/P = L.pulling
+		if(P)
 			P.forceMove(get_turf(bottom))
 			L.continue_pulling(P)