diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/sanitize_values.dm b/code/__HELPERS/sanitize_values.dm
index e53bf275d6..9080e04eca 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/sanitize_values.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/sanitize_values.dm
@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@
 	if(len && color[1] == "#")
 		if(len >= 2)
 			color = copytext(color, 2)
+		else
+			color = ""
+		len = length(color)
 
 	switch(desired_format)
 		if(3)