diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/loadout.dm b/code/__DEFINES/loadout.dm
index d4541fd8a7..332095e049 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/loadout.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/loadout.dm
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
 //defines for loadout categories
+//no category defines
+#define NOCATEGORY list("NOCATEGORY")
+#define NOSUBCATEGORY list("NOSUBCATEGORY")
+
 
 //backpack
 #define CATEGORY_BACKPACK 				"In backpack"
diff --git a/code/_globalvars/lists/loadout_categories.dm b/code/_globalvars/lists/loadout_categories.dm
index 9ebc6cca01..2a44bf60f4 100644
--- a/code/_globalvars/lists/loadout_categories.dm
+++ b/code/_globalvars/lists/loadout_categories.dm
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(loadout_categories, list(
 	CATEGORY_BACKPACK = list(SUBCATEGORY_BACKPACK_GENERAL, SUBCATEGORY_BACKPACK_TOYS),
 	CATEGORY_NECK = list(SUBCATEGORY_NECK_GENERAL, SUBCATEGORY_NECK_TIE, SUBCATEGORY_NECK_SCARVES),
-	CATEGORY_MASK = list("NOSUBCATEGORY"),
-	CATEGORY_HANDS = list("NOSUBCATEGORY"),
+	CATEGORY_MASK = NOSUBCATEGORY,
+	CATEGORY_HANDS = NOSUBCATEGORY,
 	CATEGORY_UNIFORM = list(SUBCATEGORY_UNIFORM_GENERAL, SUBCATEGORY_UNIFORM_JOBS, SUBCATEGORY_UNIFORM_SUITS, SUBCATEGORY_UNIFORM_SKIRTS, SUBCATEGORY_UNIFORM_DRESSES, SUBCATEGORY_UNIFORM_SWEATERS, SUBCATEGORY_UNIFORM_PANTS, SUBCATEGORY_UNIFORM_SHORTS),
 	CATEGORY_SUIT = list(SUBCATEGORY_SUIT_GENERAL, SUBCATEGORY_SUIT_COATS, SUBCATEGORY_SUIT_JACKETS, SUBCATEGORY_SUIT_JOBS),
 	CATEGORY_HEAD = list(SUBCATEGORY_HEAD_GENERAL, SUBCATEGORY_HEAD_JOBS),
-	CATEGORY_SHOES = list("NOSUBCATEGORY"),
-	CATEGORY_GLOVES = list("NOSUBCATEGORY"),
-	CATEGORY_GLASSES = list("NOSUBCATEGORY"),
-	CATEGORY_DONATOR = list("NOSUBCATEGORY")
+	CATEGORY_SHOES = NOSUBCATEGORY,
+	CATEGORY_GLOVES = NOSUBCATEGORY,
+	CATEGORY_GLASSES = NOSUBCATEGORY,
+	CATEGORY_DONATOR = NOSUBCATEGORY
 ))