diff --git a/code/modules/awaymissions/maploader/writer.dm b/code/modules/awaymissions/maploader/writer.dm
index 2a704276b3e..91dcb8b83d1 100644
--- a/code/modules/awaymissions/maploader/writer.dm
+++ b/code/modules/awaymissions/maploader/writer.dm
@@ -172,10 +172,20 @@
 	if(!use_json)
 		for(var/V in A.vars)
 			CHECK_TICK
-			// Can't check issaved() or initial() because they don't work on a list index
+			if((!issaved(A.vars[V])) || (A.vars[V] == initial(A.vars[V])))
+				continue
+
 			attributes += var_to_dmm(A.vars[V], V)
 	else
 		var/list/to_encode = A.serialize()
+		// We'll want to write out vars that are important to the editor
+		// So that the map is legible as before
+		for(var/T in A.map_important_vars())
+			// Save vars that are important for the map editor, so that
+			// json-encoded maps are legible for standard editors
+			if(A.vars[T] != initial(A.vars[T]))
+				to_encode -= T
+				attributes += var_to_dmm(A.vars[T], T)
 
 		// Remove useless info
 		to_encode -= "type"