diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
index 99cf57522e..34826e24d9 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ datum/preferences
 	var/r_synth							//Used with synth_color to color synth parts that normaly can't be colored.
 	var/g_synth							//Same as above
 	var/b_synth							//Same as above
-	var/synth_markings = 0				//Enable/disable markings on synth parts.
+	var/synth_markings = 1				//VOREStation edit. Enable/disable markings on synth parts.
 
 		//Some faction information.
 	var/home_system = "Unset"           //System of birth.
diff --git a/code/modules/organs/organ_icon.dm b/code/modules/organs/organ_icon.dm
index 71adba5b11..c3e39a513c 100644
--- a/code/modules/organs/organ_icon.dm
+++ b/code/modules/organs/organ_icon.dm
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ var/global/list/limb_icon_cache = list()
 				var/datum/sprite_accessory/marking/mark_style = markings[M]["datum"]
 				var/icon/mark_s = new/icon("icon" = mark_style.icon, "icon_state" = "[mark_style.icon_state]-[organ_tag]")
 				mark_s.Blend(markings[M]["color"], mark_style.color_blend_mode) // VOREStation edit
-				overlays |= mark_s //So when it's not on your body, it has icons
+				add_overlay(mark_s) //So when it's not on your body, it has icons
 				mob_icon.Blend(mark_s, ICON_OVERLAY) //So when it's on your body, it has icons
 				icon_cache_key += "[M][markings[M]["color"]]"