diff --git a/code/modules/surgery/braincore.dm b/code/modules/surgery/braincore.dm
index d08d6d98784..92caf9de0a2 100644
--- a/code/modules/surgery/braincore.dm
+++ b/code/modules/surgery/braincore.dm
@@ -173,7 +173,8 @@
 		if(target.cores >= 0)
 			new target.coretype(target.loc)
 		if(target.cores <= 0)
-			target.icon_state = "baby roro dead-nocore"
+			var/origstate = initial(target.icon_state)
+			target.icon_state = "[origstate] dead-nocore"
 
 
 	fail_step(mob/living/user, mob/living/carbon/slime/target, target_zone, obj/item/tool)