diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/twohanded.dm b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/twohanded.dm
index fb7355532c0..31f6bd289c6 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/twohanded.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/twohanded.dm
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@
 	if(on_cooldown)
 		to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>[src] is on cooldown!</span>")
 		return
-	if(!user.drop_l_hand() || !user.drop_r_hand())
+	if((user.l_hand && !user.drop_l_hand()) || (user.r_hand && !user.drop_r_hand()))
 		to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>[src] are unable to deploy the blades with the items in your hands!</span>")
 		return
 	var/obj/item/W = new /obj/item/pyro_claws