diff --git a/code/modules/client/preference_setup/general/01_basic.dm b/code/modules/client/preference_setup/general/01_basic.dm
index 2588836df5..c99d0d860a 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preference_setup/general/01_basic.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preference_setup/general/01_basic.dm
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ datum/preferences/proc/set_biological_gender(var/gender)
 		return TOPIC_REFRESH
 
 	else if(href_list["metadata"])
-		var/new_metadata = sanitize(input(user, "Enter any information you'd like others to see, such as Roleplay-preferences:", "Game Preference" , pref.metadata)) as message|null
+		var/new_metadata = sanitize(input(user, "Enter any information you'd like others to see, such as Roleplay-preferences:", "Game Preference" , pref.metadata) as message|null) as message|null
 		if(new_metadata && CanUseTopic(user))
 			pref.metadata = sanitize(new_metadata)
 			return TOPIC_REFRESH