diff --git a/code/game/turfs/change_turf.dm b/code/game/turfs/change_turf.dm
index 7aae593cdf..8e099d02cc 100644
--- a/code/game/turfs/change_turf.dm
+++ b/code/game/turfs/change_turf.dm
@@ -160,9 +160,9 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(blacklisted_automated_baseturfs, typecacheof(list(
 			. = ..()
 		else
 			. = ..()
-			update_air_ref(planetary_atmos ? 1 : 2)
 			if(!istype(air,/datum/gas_mixture))
 				Initalize_Atmos(0)
+			update_air_ref(planetary_atmos ? 1 : 2)
 
 // Take off the top layer turf and replace it with the next baseturf down
 /turf/proc/ScrapeAway(amount=1, flags)