diff --git a/code/game/objects/items.dm b/code/game/objects/items.dm
index 34ec25c902d..935c587fa57 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items.dm
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ var/global/image/fire_overlay = image("icon" = 'icons/goonstation/effects/fire.d
 	If index term exists and icon_override is not set, this sprite sheet will be used.
 	*/
 	var/list/sprite_sheets = null
+	var/list/sprite_sheets_inhand = null //Used to override inhand items. Use a single .dmi and suffix the icon states inside with _l and _r for each hand.
 	var/icon_override = null  //Used to override hardcoded clothing dmis in human clothing proc.
 	var/sprite_sheets_obj = null //Used to override hardcoded clothing inventory object dmis in human clothing proc.
 
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/update_icons.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/update_icons.dm
index a682a61d68d..05dfbd0e302 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/update_icons.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/update_icons.dm
@@ -1022,9 +1022,9 @@ var/global/list/damage_icon_parts = list()
 			t_state = r_hand.icon_state
 
 		var/mutable_appearance/standing
-		if(r_hand.sprite_sheets && r_hand.sprite_sheets[dna.species.name])
+		if(r_hand.sprite_sheets_inhand && r_hand.sprite_sheets_inhand[dna.species.name])
 			t_state = "[t_state]_r"
-			standing = mutable_appearance(r_hand.sprite_sheets[dna.species.name], "[t_state]", layer = -R_HAND_LAYER)
+			standing = mutable_appearance(r_hand.sprite_sheets_inhand[dna.species.name], "[t_state]", layer = -R_HAND_LAYER)
 		else
 			standing = mutable_appearance(r_hand.righthand_file, "[t_state]", layer = -R_HAND_LAYER)
 			standing = center_image(standing, r_hand.inhand_x_dimension, r_hand.inhand_y_dimension)
@@ -1041,9 +1041,9 @@ var/global/list/damage_icon_parts = list()
 			t_state = l_hand.icon_state
 
 		var/mutable_appearance/standing
-		if(l_hand.sprite_sheets && l_hand.sprite_sheets[dna.species.name])
+		if(l_hand.sprite_sheets_inhand && l_hand.sprite_sheets_inhand[dna.species.name])
 			t_state = "[t_state]_l"
-			standing = mutable_appearance(l_hand.sprite_sheets[dna.species.name], "[t_state]", layer = -L_HAND_LAYER)
+			standing = mutable_appearance(l_hand.sprite_sheets_inhand[dna.species.name], "[t_state]", layer = -L_HAND_LAYER)
 		else
 			standing = mutable_appearance(l_hand.lefthand_file, "[t_state]", layer = -L_HAND_LAYER)
 			standing = center_image(standing, l_hand.inhand_x_dimension, l_hand.inhand_y_dimension)
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/alien.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/alien.dm
index 36bba8f3112..d9f149b3b17 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/alien.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/alien.dm
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
 	ammo_type = list(/obj/item/ammo_casing/energy/sonic)
 	cell_type = /obj/item/stock_parts/cell/super
 	restricted_species = list(/datum/species/vox/armalis)
-	sprite_sheets = list("Vox Armalis" = 'icons/mob/species/armalis/held.dmi')
+	sprite_sheets_inhand = list("Vox Armalis" = 'icons/mob/species/armalis/held.dmi') //Big guns big birds.
 
 /obj/item/gun/energy/noisecannon/update_icon()
 	return