diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/devices/chameleonproj.dm b/code/game/objects/items/devices/chameleonproj.dm
index 13e309b79d..990d6cc038 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/devices/chameleonproj.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/devices/chameleonproj.dm
@@ -39,15 +39,24 @@
 		return
 	if(!check_sprite(target))
 		return
-	if(!active_dummy)
-		if(!(isturf(target) || ismob(target) || istype(target, /obj/structure/falsewall) || istype(target, /obj/effect))) //NOT any of these
-			playsound(get_turf(src), 'sound/weapons/flash.ogg', 100, 1, -6)
-			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>Scanned [target].</span>")
-			var/obj/temp = new/obj()
-			temp.appearance = target.appearance
-			temp.layer = initial(target.layer) // scanning things in your inventory
-			temp.plane = initial(target.plane)
-			saved_appearance = temp.appearance
+	if(active_dummy)//I now present you the blackli(f)st
+		return
+	if(isturf(target))
+		return
+	if(ismob(target))
+		return
+	if(istype(target, /obj/structure/falsewall))
+		return
+	if(iseffect(target))
+		if(!(istype(target, /obj/effect/decal))) //be a footprint
+			return	
+	playsound(get_turf(src), 'sound/weapons/flash.ogg', 100, 1, -6)
+	to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>Scanned [target].</span>")
+	var/obj/temp = new/obj()
+	temp.appearance = target.appearance
+	temp.layer = initial(target.layer) // scanning things in your inventory
+	temp.plane = initial(target.plane)
+	saved_appearance = temp.appearance
 
 /obj/item/chameleon/proc/check_sprite(atom/target)
 	if(target.icon_state in icon_states(target.icon))