diff --git a/code/modules/xenoarcheaology/tools/artifact_harvester.dm b/code/modules/xenoarcheaology/tools/artifact_harvester.dm
index 23ff59799e..ca7b43b1d3 100644
--- a/code/modules/xenoarcheaology/tools/artifact_harvester.dm
+++ b/code/modules/xenoarcheaology/tools/artifact_harvester.dm
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@
 
 /obj/machinery/artifact_harvester/New()
 	..()
-	//connect to a nearby scanner pad
-	owned_scanner = locate(/obj/machinery/artifact_scanpad) in get_step(src, dir)
-	if(!owned_scanner)
-		owned_scanner = locate(/obj/machinery/artifact_scanpad) in orange(1, src)
+	spawn(50) //Delay so the scan pad has time to actually spawn in
+		owned_scanner = locate(/obj/machinery/artifact_scanpad) in get_step(src, dir) //connect to a nearby scanner pad
+		if(!owned_scanner)
+			owned_scanner = locate(/obj/machinery/artifact_scanpad) in orange(1, src)
 
 /obj/machinery/artifact_harvester/attackby(var/obj/I as obj, var/mob/user as mob)
 	if(istype(I,/obj/item/weapon/anobattery))