diff --git a/Content.Server/GameTicking/Rules/NukeopsRuleSystem.cs b/Content.Server/GameTicking/Rules/NukeopsRuleSystem.cs
index b72433cfc1bedd..38bf8c6fc74ae6 100644
--- a/Content.Server/GameTicking/Rules/NukeopsRuleSystem.cs
+++ b/Content.Server/GameTicking/Rules/NukeopsRuleSystem.cs
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ private void OnPlayersSpawning(RulePlayerSpawningEvent ev)
                 }
             }
 
-            var numNukies = MathHelper.Clamp(ev.PlayerPool.Count / playersPerOperative, 1, maxOperatives);
+            var numNukies = MathHelper.Clamp(_playerSystem.PlayerCount / playersPerOperative, 1, maxOperatives);
 
             for (var i = 0; i < numNukies; i++)
             {