diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
index 916095ed266e..68ce5050c706 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 /mob/living/carbon/attackby(obj/item/W, mob/user, params)
 	var/obj/item/bodypart/BP = get_bodypart(check_zone(user.zone_selected))
-	var/has_painkillers = user.reagents.has_reagent(/datum/reagent/medicine/morphine, needs_metabolizing = TRUE)
 	if(W.tool_behaviour == TOOL_WELDER && IS_ROBOTIC_LIMB(BP) && BP.brute_dam > 5) //prioritize healing if we're synthetic
 		return ..()
 	if(user.a_intent != INTENT_HELP || !W.get_temperature() || !BP.can_bandage()) //this will also catch low damage synthetic welding
 		return ..()
 	. = TRUE
 	var/heal_time = 2 SECONDS
+	var/has_painkillers = user.reagents.has_reagent(/datum/reagent/medicine/morphine, needs_metabolizing = TRUE)
 	playsound(user, 'sound/surgery/cautery1.ogg', 20)
 	balloon_alert(user, "cauterizing...")
 	if(src == user && !has_painkillers)