diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
index 49e139a87a..297be2eddd 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #define SAVEFILE_VERSION_MIN 8
-#define SAVEFILE_VERSION_MAX 26
+#define SAVEFILE_VERSION_MAX 27
 
 //handles converting savefiles to new formats
 //MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THIS UP TO DATE!
@@ -165,6 +165,13 @@
 		S["nanotrasen_relation"] >> relation
 		S["weyland_yutani_relation"] << relation
 
+	if(savefile_version < 27)
+		var/old_pref_armor
+		S["preferred_armor"] >> old_pref_armor
+		if((!old_pref_armor) in GLOB.armor_style_list)
+			preferred_armor = "Random"
+		S["preferred_armor"] << preferred_armor
+
 	savefile_version = SAVEFILE_VERSION_MAX
 	return 1
 
@@ -657,12 +664,6 @@
 	backbag = sanitize_integer(backbag, 1, length(GLOB.backbaglist), initial(backbag))
 	preferred_armor = sanitize_inlist(preferred_armor, GLOB.armor_style_list, "Random")
 	//b_type = sanitize_text(b_type, initial(b_type))
-	var/old_pref_armor
-	S["preferred_armor"] >> old_pref_armor
-
-	if((!old_pref_armor) in GLOB.armor_style_list)
-		preferred_armor = "Random"
-	S["preferred_armor"] << preferred_armor
 
 	platoon_name = platoon_name ? sanitize_text(platoon_name, initial(platoon_name)) : "Sun Riders"
 	dropship_camo = sanitize_inlist(dropship_camo, GLOB.dropship_camos, initial(dropship_camo))