diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/say.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/say.dm
index 942ff90322..a6e3e27a05 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/say.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/say.dm
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 /mob/living/carbon/can_speak_vocal(message)
 	if(silent)
 		return 0
-	if(get_message_language(message) == /datum/language/signlanguage && (handcuffed || (!src.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_L_ARM) && !src.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_R_ARM)) || get_num_held_items() == 2 || (get_num_held_items() == 1 && (!src.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_L_ARM) || !src.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_R_ARM)))))
+	if(get_message_language(message) == /datum/language/signlanguage && (handcuffed || (!src.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_L_ARM) && !src.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_R_ARM)) || held_items.len == 2 || (held_items.len == 1 && (!src.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_L_ARM) || !src.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_R_ARM)))))
 		return 0
 	return ..()