diff --git a/zscript/spraycan.zs b/zscript/spraycan.zs
index 6d894b3..08cb591 100644
--- a/zscript/spraycan.zs
+++ b/zscript/spraycan.zs
@@ -322,8 +322,12 @@ class SnekTechSprayer : HDWeapon
         int newIndex = (currentIndex + 1) % patternList.size();
 
         // Set the new CVar.
-        CVar.GetCVar("snektech_spraypattern", owner.player).SetString(patternList[newIndex]);
-        currentPattern = CVar.GetCVar("snektech_spraypattern", owner.player).GetString();
+        currentPattern = patternList[newIndex];
+        // first, update the Actual cvar
+        if (owner.PlayerNumber() == consoleplayer)
+           CVar.FindCVar("snektech_spraypattern").SetString(currentPattern);
+        // then update the per-player copy so the help text is correct
+        CVar.GetCVar("snektech_spraypattern", owner.player).SetString(currentPattern);
         owner.A_Log("Selected spray pattern: "..currentPattern, true);
 
         // Current pattern is referenced in the help text, so reset