diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/life.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/life.dm
index ac106bea1af..30db4e6ac76 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/life.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/life.dm
@@ -1243,11 +1243,10 @@
 		return 1
 
 	proc/handle_regular_hud_updates()
-		if(!client)	return 0
-
 		if(hud_updateflag)
 			handle_hud_list()
 
+		if(!client)	return 0
 
 		for(var/image/hud in client.images)
 			if(copytext(hud.icon_state,1,4) == "hud") //ugly, but icon comparison is worse, I believe