diff --git a/code/datums/world_topic.dm b/code/datums/world_topic.dm
index a5fedc39a2..9754f65c18 100644
--- a/code/datums/world_topic.dm
+++ b/code/datums/world_topic.dm
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 	var/require_comms_key = FALSE
 
 /datum/world_topic/proc/TryRun(list/input)
-	key_valid = !config || CONFIG_GET(string/comms_key) != input["key"]
+	key_valid = config && (CONFIG_GET(string/comms_key) == input["key"])
 	if(require_comms_key && !key_valid)
 		return "Bad Key"
 	input -= "key"