diff --git a/code/modules/power/tesla/energy_ball.dm b/code/modules/power/tesla/energy_ball.dm
index 4327bbf42d1..3e921d78a9f 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/tesla/energy_ball.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/tesla/energy_ball.dm
@@ -218,7 +218,8 @@
 			continue //no need checking these other things
 
 		else if(istype(A, /obj/machinery/power/grounding_rod))
-			var/dist = get_dist(source, A)-2
+			var/obj/machinery/power/grounding_rod/G = A
+			var/dist = get_dist(source, A) - (G.anchored ? 2 : 0)
 			if(dist <= zap_range && (dist < closest_dist || !closest_grounding_rod))
 				closest_grounding_rod = A
 				closest_atom = A
diff --git a/html/changelogs/Leshana - tesla-grounding.yml b/html/changelogs/Leshana - tesla-grounding.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ee246f5f27b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/html/changelogs/Leshana - tesla-grounding.yml	
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+author: Leshana
+delete-after: True
+changes: 
+  - tweak: "Grounding rods act intuitively, only having an expanded lighting catch area when anchored."