diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/implants/implanter.dm b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/implants/implanter.dm
index c9c56651d72..fceca0a97f6 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/weapons/implants/implanter.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/weapons/implants/implanter.dm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 	materials = list(MAT_METAL = 600, MAT_GLASS = 200)
 	toolspeed = 1
 	var/obj/item/implant/imp
-	var/implant_type = /obj/item/implant
+	var/obj/item/implant/implant_type
 
 /obj/item/implanter/update_icon_state()
 	if(imp)
@@ -46,5 +46,7 @@
 
 /obj/item/implanter/Initialize(mapload)
 	. = ..()
+	if(!implant_type)
+		return
 	imp = new implant_type()
 	update_icon(UPDATE_ICON_STATE)