diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals/signals_turf.dm b/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals/signals_turf.dm
index 65709f4e446..04a2648773a 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals/signals_turf.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals/signals_turf.dm
@@ -31,5 +31,7 @@
 
 ///from /datum/element/footstep/prepare_step(): (list/steps)
 #define COMSIG_TURF_PREPARE_STEP_SOUND "turf_prepare_step_sound"
+	//stops element/footstep/proc/prepare_step() from returning null if the turf itself has no sound
+	#define FOOTSTEP_OVERRIDEN (1<<0)
 ///from base of datum/thrownthing/finalize(): (turf/turf, atom/movable/thrownthing) when something is thrown and lands on us
 #define COMSIG_TURF_MOVABLE_THROW_LANDED "turf_movable_throw_landed"
diff --git a/code/datums/elements/footstep.dm b/code/datums/elements/footstep.dm
index 3a0a9961843..d2f129c09f4 100644
--- a/code/datums/elements/footstep.dm
+++ b/code/datums/elements/footstep.dm
@@ -94,9 +94,9 @@
 		return
 
 	. = list(FOOTSTEP_MOB_SHOE = turf.footstep, FOOTSTEP_MOB_BAREFOOT = turf.barefootstep, FOOTSTEP_MOB_HEAVY = turf.heavyfootstep, FOOTSTEP_MOB_CLAW = turf.clawfootstep, STEP_SOUND_PRIORITY = STEP_SOUND_NO_PRIORITY)
-	SEND_SIGNAL(turf, COMSIG_TURF_PREPARE_STEP_SOUND, .)
+	var/overriden = SEND_SIGNAL(turf, COMSIG_TURF_PREPARE_STEP_SOUND, .) & FOOTSTEP_OVERRIDEN
 	//The turf has no footstep sound (e.g. open space) and none of the objects on that turf (e.g. catwalks) overrides it
-	if(isnull(turf.footstep))
+	if(!overriden && isnull(turf.footstep))
 		return null
 	return .
 
diff --git a/code/datums/elements/footstep_override.dm b/code/datums/elements/footstep_override.dm
index 4e0c346c5be..43d73113280 100644
--- a/code/datums/elements/footstep_override.dm
+++ b/code/datums/elements/footstep_override.dm
@@ -78,3 +78,4 @@
 	steps[FOOTSTEP_MOB_HEAVY] = heavyfootstep
 	steps[FOOTSTEP_MOB_CLAW] = clawfootstep
 	steps[STEP_SOUND_PRIORITY] = priority
+	return FOOTSTEP_OVERRIDEN