diff --git a/code/game/objects/effects/decals/contraband.dm b/code/game/objects/effects/decals/contraband.dm
index 7b652d5fec9..c6a2ed3ce7c 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/effects/decals/contraband.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/effects/decals/contraband.dm
@@ -157,10 +157,10 @@ obj/structure/sign/poster/attackby(obj/item/weapon/W as obj, mob/user as mob)
 		playsound(loc, 'sound/items/Wirecutter.ogg', 100, 1)
 		if(ruined)
 			user << "<span class='notice'>You remove the remnants of the poster.</span>"
-			del(src)
 		else
 			user << "<span class='notice'>You carefully remove the poster from the wall.</span>"
 			roll_and_drop(user.loc)
+		del(src)
 		return