diff --git a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs.dm b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs.dm
index 681c419e11f..6f1b35244a2 100644
--- a/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs.dm
+++ b/code/datums/status_effects/debuffs.dm
@@ -64,15 +64,15 @@
 	var/modifier
 
 /datum/status_effect/fang_exhaust/on_creation(mob/living/simple_animal/new_owner, modifier = 1.1)
+	src.modifier = modifier
 	. = ..()
+
 	if(!.)
 		return FALSE
 
 	if(!istype(new_owner))
 		return FALSE
 
-	src.modifier = modifier
-
 /datum/status_effect/fang_exhaust/on_apply()
 	var/mob/living/simple_animal/new_owner = owner