diff --git a/code/modules/power/lighting.dm b/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
index 835055ea48..36005232f3 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
@@ -257,6 +257,7 @@
 
 /obj/machinery/light/small/built
 	icon_state = "bulb-empty"
+	start_with_cell = FALSE
 
 /obj/machinery/light/small/built/Initialize()
 	. = ..()