diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/shadowling/shadowling_abilities.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/shadowling/shadowling_abilities.dm
index f8f55f0e126..ea846e394a5 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/shadowling/shadowling_abilities.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/shadowling/shadowling_abilities.dm
@@ -365,6 +365,7 @@
 		var/mob/living/carbon/human/H = target
 		H.visible_message("<span class='warning'>[H]'s skin suddenly bubbles and shifts around [H.p_their()] body!</span>", \
 							 "<span class='shadowling'>You regenerate your protective armor and cleanse your form of defects.</span>")
+		H.set_species(/datum/species/shadow/ling)
 		H.adjustCloneLoss(-target.getCloneLoss())
 		H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/under/shadowling(H), slot_w_uniform)
 		H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/shoes/shadowling(H), slot_shoes)
@@ -373,7 +374,6 @@
 		H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/gloves/shadowling(H), slot_gloves)
 		H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/mask/gas/shadowling(H), slot_wear_mask)
 		H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/glasses/shadowling(H), slot_glasses)
-		H.set_species(/datum/species/shadow/ling)
 
 /obj/effect/proc_holder/spell/targeted/collective_mind //Lets a shadowling bring together their thralls' strength, granting new abilities and a headcount
 	name = "Collective Hivemind"
diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/shadowling/special_shadowling_abilities.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/shadowling/special_shadowling_abilities.dm
index 03780f7a47e..7aebaa0b044 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/shadowling/special_shadowling_abilities.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/shadowling/special_shadowling_abilities.dm
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ var/list/possibleShadowlingNames = list("U'ruan", "Y`shej", "Nex", "Hel-uae", "N
 				H.socks = "None"
 				H.faction |= "faithless"
 
+				H.set_species(/datum/species/shadow/ling)	//can't be a shadowling without being a shadowling
 				H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/under/shadowling(user), slot_w_uniform)
 				H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/shoes/shadowling(user), slot_shoes)
 				H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/suit/space/shadowling(user), slot_wear_suit)
@@ -91,7 +92,6 @@ var/list/possibleShadowlingNames = list("U'ruan", "Y`shej", "Nex", "Hel-uae", "N
 				H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/gloves/shadowling(user), slot_gloves)
 				H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/mask/gas/shadowling(user), slot_wear_mask)
 				H.equip_to_slot_or_del(new /obj/item/clothing/glasses/shadowling(user), slot_glasses)
-				H.set_species(/datum/species/shadow/ling)	//can't be a shadowling without being a shadowling
 
 				H.mind.RemoveSpell(src)