diff --git a/code/datums/components/_component.dm b/code/datums/components/_component.dm
index d9b0bea6de..4fb71acf84 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/_component.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/_component.dm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 	if(!isnum(dupe_mode))
 		qdel(src)
 		CRASH("[type]: Invalid dupe_mode!")
-	if(!ispath(dupe_type))
+	if(dupe_type && !ispath(dupe_type))
 		qdel(src)
 		CRASH("[type]: Invalid dupe_type!")