diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/sanitize_values.dm b/code/__HELPERS/sanitize_values.dm
index dd10e624d558..a24b812a8a83 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/sanitize_values.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/sanitize_values.dm
@@ -77,6 +77,11 @@
 			i += length(color[i])
 
 	if(length_char(.) != desired_format)
+		if(desired_format == 6 && length_char(.) == 3) //doing this quickly rather than elegantly
+			var/red = .[1]
+			var/green = .[2]
+			var/blue = .[3]
+			return crunch + "[red][red][green][green][blue][blue]"
 		if(default)
 			return default
 		return crunch + repeat_string(desired_format, "0")