diff --git a/code/modules/shuttle/shuttle.dm b/code/modules/shuttle/shuttle.dm
index 376a253379..dc23a64d3d 100644
--- a/code/modules/shuttle/shuttle.dm
+++ b/code/modules/shuttle/shuttle.dm
@@ -891,7 +891,7 @@
 	var/range = (engine_coeff * max(width, height))
 	var/long_range = range * 2.5
 	var/atom/distant_source
-	if(engine_list[1])
+	if(length(engine_list))
 		distant_source = engine_list[1]
 	else
 		for(var/A in areas)