diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/toys/cards.dm b/code/game/objects/items/toys/cards.dm
index ebb2320146e9..697feaf857f5 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/toys/cards.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/toys/cards.dm
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@
 
 /obj/item/toy/handcard/Destroy(force)
 	. = ..()
-	cards = null
+	QDEL_NULL_LIST(cards)
 
 /obj/item/toy/handcard/aceofspades
 	icon_state = "spades_ace"