diff --git a/core/src/mindustry/type/UnitType.java b/core/src/mindustry/type/UnitType.java
index e93701345a..b801fb9987 100644
--- a/core/src/mindustry/type/UnitType.java
+++ b/core/src/mindustry/type/UnitType.java
@@ -615,6 +615,10 @@ public class UnitType extends UnlockableContent{
         }
     }
 
+    public boolean needsBodyOutline(){
+        return alwaysCreateOutline;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public void createIcons(MultiPacker packer){
         super.createIcons(packer);
@@ -636,8 +640,8 @@ public class UnitType extends UnlockableContent{
         //currently does not create outlines for legs or base regions due to older mods having them outlined by default
         if(outlines){
 
-            //outlines only created when weapons are drawn under w/ merged outlines
-            makeOutline(packer, region, alwaysCreateOutline || weapons.contains(w -> !w.top || w.parts.contains(p -> p.under)));
+            //outlines only created when forced at the moment
+            makeOutline(packer, region, alwaysCreateOutline);
 
             for(Weapon weapon : weapons){
                 if(!weapon.name.isEmpty()){
diff --git a/tools/src/mindustry/tools/Generators.java b/tools/src/mindustry/tools/Generators.java
index 6a76e1ce8b..f1da161fa8 100644
--- a/tools/src/mindustry/tools/Generators.java
+++ b/tools/src/mindustry/tools/Generators.java
@@ -582,8 +582,8 @@ public class Generators{
                     save(image, type.name);
                 }
 
-                //outline only needs to be different if there's a weapon that draws under; most units don't have this, and it saves significant space.
-                if(type.weapons.contains(w -> !w.top)){
+                //outline is currently never needed, although it could theoretically be necessary
+                if(type.needsBodyOutline()){
                     save(image, type.name + "-outline");
                 }else{
                     replace(type.name, image);