diff --git a/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm b/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
index 03759d42d2..ede06932dc 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@
 		// Unclear why this isn't being grabbed by appearance.
 		if(ishuman(body))
 			var/mob/living/carbon/human/H = body
-			overlays = H.overlays_standing
+			add_overlay(H.overlays_standing)
 
 	if(!T)	T = pick(latejoin)			//Safety in case we cannot find the body's position
 	forceMove(T)
@@ -909,4 +909,4 @@ mob/observer/dead/MayRespawn(var/feedback = 0)
 /mob/observer/dead/verb/respawn()
 	set name = "Respawn"
 	set category = "Ghost"
-	src.abandon_mob()
\ No newline at end of file
+	src.abandon_mob()