diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/_extools_api.dm b/code/__HELPERS/_extools_api.dm
index 04fa9447f7dd..c40da0345214 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/_extools_api.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/_extools_api.dm
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 	CRASH(msg)
 
 //this exists because gases may be created when the MC doesn't exist yet
-GLOBAL_REAL_VAR(/list/__auxtools_initialized)
+GLOBAL_REAL_VAR(/list/__auxtools_initialized) = list()
 
 #define AUXTOOLS_CHECK(LIB)\
 	if (!__auxtools_initialized[LIB]) {\