diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/cult/ritual.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/cult/ritual.dm
index 25d36079625..ee5221fb698 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/cult/ritual.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/cult/ritual.dm
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 	canbypass = 1
 
 /obj/item/weapon/tome/New()
-	if(!ticker)
+	if(!ticker.mode)
 		icon_state = "tome"
 	else
 		icon_state = ticker.mode.cultdat.tome_icon