diff --git a/code/modules/paperwork/paper.dm b/code/modules/paperwork/paper.dm
index de940873f7c..c9de7835d45 100644
--- a/code/modules/paperwork/paper.dm
+++ b/code/modules/paperwork/paper.dm
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 	var/info_links	//A different version of the paper which includes html links at fields and EOF
 	var/stamps		//The (text for the) stamps on the paper.
 	var/list/stamp_overlays = list()
-	var/fields		//Amount of user created fields
+	var/fields = 0		//Amount of user created fields
 	var/list/stamped
 	var/ico[0]      //Icons and
 	var/offset_x[0] //offsets stored for later
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@
 
 /obj/item/paper/proc/updateinfolinks()
 	info_links = info
-	for(var/i in 1 to length(fields))
+	for(var/i in 1 to fields)
 		var/write_1 = "<font face=\"[deffont]\"><a href='?src=[UID()];write=[i]'>write</a></font>"
 		var/write_2 = "<font face=\"[deffont]\"><a href='?src=[UID()];auto_write=[i]'><span style=\"color: #409F47; font-size: 10px\">\[a\]</span></a></font>"
 		addtofield(i, "[write_1][write_2]", 1)