diff --git a/code/modules/library/lib_items.dm b/code/modules/library/lib_items.dm
index ffb4915d78..e8374d5652 100644
--- a/code/modules/library/lib_items.dm
+++ b/code/modules/library/lib_items.dm
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 
 /obj/structure/bookcase/attack_hand(var/mob/user as mob)
 	if(contents.len)
-		var/obj/item/weapon/book/choice = input("Which book would you like to remove from the shelf?") in contents as obj|null
+		var/obj/item/weapon/book/choice = input("Which book would you like to remove from the shelf?") as null|obj in contents
 		if(choice)
 			if(!usr.canmove || usr.stat || usr.restrained() || !in_range(loc, usr))
 				return