diff --git a/code/modules/power/lighting.dm b/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
index ac840c27c4..b86ac56478 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@
 	var/start_with_cell = TRUE	// if true, this fixture generates a very weak cell at roundstart
 	var/emergency_mode = FALSE	// if true, the light is in emergency mode
 	var/no_emergency = FALSE	// if true, this light cannot ever have an emergency mode
-	var/bulb_emergency_brightness_mul	// multiplier for this light's base brightness in emergency power mode
+	var/bulb_emergency_brightness_mul = 0.25	// multiplier for this light's base brightness in emergency power mode
 	var/bulb_emergency_colour = "#FF3232"	// determines the colour of the light while it's in emergency mode
 	var/bulb_emergency_pow_mul = 0.75	// the multiplier for determining the light's power in emergency mode
 	var/bulb_emergency_pow_min = 0.5	// the minimum value for the light's power in emergency mode