diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/subtypes/animal/alien animals/startreader.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/subtypes/animal/alien animals/startreader.dm
index 62184b86c2..4fdaa364ad 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/subtypes/animal/alien animals/startreader.dm	
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_mob/subtypes/animal/alien animals/startreader.dm	
@@ -109,12 +109,11 @@
 	destructive = TRUE
 	violent_breakthrough = TRUE
 
-/mob/living/simple_mob/vore/alienanimals/startreader/apply_melee_effects(var/atom/A)
-	if(weakened) //Don't stun people while they're already stunned! That's SILLY!
+/mob/living/simple_mob/vore/alienanimals/startreader/apply_melee_effects(mob/living/L)
+	if(L.weakened) //Don't stun people while they're already stunned! That's SILLY!
 		return
 	if(prob(15))
-		var/mob/living/L = A
-		if(isliving(A))
+		if(isliving(L))
 			visible_message("<span class='danger'>\The [src] trips \the [L]!</span>!")
 			L.weakened += rand(1,10)