diff --git a/code/modules/surgery/organs/tongue.dm b/code/modules/surgery/organs/tongue.dm
index bea53fe19d..f64b388fe6 100644
--- a/code/modules/surgery/organs/tongue.dm
+++ b/code/modules/surgery/organs/tongue.dm
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@
 	decay_factor = STANDARD_ORGAN_DECAY/2
 
 /obj/item/organ/tongue/Initialize(mapload)
+	. = ..()
 	for(var/accent in initial_accents)
 		accents += new accent
-	. = ..()
 	low_threshold_passed = "<span class='info'>Your [name] feels a little sore.</span>"
 	low_threshold_cleared = "<span class='info'>Your [name] soreness has subsided.</span>"
 	high_threshold_passed = "<span class='warning'>Your [name] is really starting to hurt.</span>"
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 	now_fixed = "<span class='info'>The excruciating pain of your [name] has subsided.</span>"
 	languages_possible = languages_possible_base
 
-/obj/item/organ/tongue/proc/handle_speech(datum/source, list/speech_args) //this wont proc unless there's initial_accents
+/obj/item/organ/tongue/proc/handle_speech(datum/source, list/speech_args)
 	for(var/datum/accent/speech_modifier in accents)
 		speech_args = speech_modifier.modify_speech(speech_args, source, owner)
 
@@ -56,8 +56,7 @@
 	..()
 	if(say_mod && M.dna && M.dna.species)
 		M.dna.species.say_mod = say_mod
-	if(length(accents))
-		RegisterSignal(M, COMSIG_MOB_SAY, .proc/handle_speech)
+	RegisterSignal(M, COMSIG_MOB_SAY, .proc/handle_speech)
 	M.UnregisterSignal(M, COMSIG_MOB_SAY)
 
 /obj/item/organ/tongue/Remove(special = FALSE)