diff --git a/code/game/objects/effects/decals/Cleanable/humans.dm b/code/game/objects/effects/decals/Cleanable/humans.dm
index 72e1c81f2c7..25df7c9e800 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/effects/decals/Cleanable/humans.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/effects/decals/Cleanable/humans.dm
@@ -118,7 +118,10 @@ var/global/list/image/splatter_cache=list()
 	..()
 	for(var/obj/effect/decal/cleanable/blood/writing/W in loc)
 		random_icon_states.Remove(W.icon_state)
-	icon_state = pick(random_icon_states)
+	if(random_icon_states)
+		icon_state = pick(random_icon_states)
+	else
+		icon_state = "writing1"
 
 /obj/effect/decal/cleanable/blood/writing/examine()
 	..()