diff --git a/code/modules/events/sentience.dm b/code/modules/events/sentience.dm
index a8de0422498..7007a99f0ec 100644
--- a/code/modules/events/sentience.dm
+++ b/code/modules/events/sentience.dm
@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@
 /datum/event/sentience/start()
 	processing = FALSE //so it won't fire again in next tick
 
-	var/ghostmsg = "Do you want to awaken as a sentient being?"
-	var/list/candidates = SSghost_spawns.poll_candidates(ghostmsg, ROLE_SENTIENT, TRUE)
+	var/list/candidates = SSghost_spawns.poll_candidates("Do you want to awaken as a sentient being?", ROLE_SENTIENT, TRUE)
 	var/list/potential = list()
 	var/sentience_type = SENTIENCE_ORGANIC