diff --git a/code/modules/xenoarcheaology/finds/find_spawning.dm b/code/modules/xenoarcheaology/finds/find_spawning.dm
index 27fd388c5f..b121724219 100644
--- a/code/modules/xenoarcheaology/finds/find_spawning.dm
+++ b/code/modules/xenoarcheaology/finds/find_spawning.dm
@@ -551,7 +551,9 @@
 			var/obj/item/weapon/reagent_containers/syringe/S = new_item
 
 			S.volume = 30
-			S.reagents.maximum_volume = 30
+			//If S hasn't initialized yet, S.reagents will be null.  
+			//However, in that case Initialize will set the maximum volume to the volume for us, so we don't need to do anything.
+			S.reagents?.maximum_volume = 30
 
 			item_type = new_item.name