diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/cult/ritual.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/cult/ritual.dm
index 904b9ea23e7..752e8e353d0 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/cult/ritual.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/cult/ritual.dm
@@ -12,7 +12,11 @@
 	return
 
 /obj/effect/rune/proc/check_icon()
-	icon = get_rune_cult(invocation)
+	if(!ticker.mode)//work around for maps with runes and cultdat is not loaded all the way
+		var/bits = make_bit_triplet()
+		icon = get_rune(bits)
+	else
+		icon = get_rune_cult(invocation)
 
 /obj/item/weapon/tome
 	name = "arcane tome"
diff --git a/code/game/magic/Uristrunes.dm b/code/game/magic/Uristrunes.dm
index 640785eabeb..ed881c71fb1 100644
--- a/code/game/magic/Uristrunes.dm
+++ b/code/game/magic/Uristrunes.dm
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /proc/get_rune_cult(word)
 	var/animated
 
-	if(word && !(ticker.mode.cultdat.theme == "fire") && ticker.mode)
+	if(word && !(ticker.mode.cultdat.theme == "fire"))
 		animated = 1
 	else
 		animated = 0