diff --git a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Objects/Weapons/Melee/e_sword.yml b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Objects/Weapons/Melee/e_sword.yml
index fa43feec7ab3eb..0507a81aaaaadf 100644
--- a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Objects/Weapons/Melee/e_sword.yml
+++ b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Objects/Weapons/Melee/e_sword.yml
@@ -355,6 +355,7 @@
         Slash: 20
         Heat: 20
         Structural: 20
+  - type: MeleeRequiresWield
   - type: HeldSpeedModifier #slowdown is what balances this compared to a dsword
     walkModifier: 0.6
     sprintModifier: 0.6