diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/headset.dm b/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/headset.dm
index e44cf557b9a2d..3afd539d4c974 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/headset.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/headset.dm
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(channel_tokens, list(
 	custom_materials = list(/datum/material/iron=75)
 	subspace_transmission = TRUE
 	headset = TRUE
+	listening = TRUE
 	canhear_range = 0 // can't hear headsets from very far away
 
 	slot_flags = ITEM_SLOT_EARS
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/intercom.dm b/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/intercom.dm
index 2c7262139b17a..944fe7462583b 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/intercom.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/intercom.dm
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 	icon = 'icons/obj/radio.dmi'
 	icon_state = "intercom"
 	anchored = TRUE
+	listening = TRUE
 	w_class = WEIGHT_CLASS_BULKY
 	canhear_range = 2
 	dog_fashion = null