diff --git a/evennia/contrib/gendersub.py b/evennia/contrib/gendersub.py
index 627a4e3268..bec8124f11 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/gendersub.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/gendersub.py
@@ -143,9 +143,9 @@ class GenderCharacter(DefaultCharacter):
         """
         try:
             if text and isinstance(text, tuple):
-                text = (self._RE_GENDER_PRONOUN.sub(self._get_pronoun, text[0]), *text[1:])
+                text = _RE_GENDER_PRONOUN.sub(self._get_pronoun, text[0]), *text[1:]
             else:
-                text = self._RE_GENDER_PRONOUN.sub(self._get_pronoun, text)
+                text = _RE_GENDER_PRONOUN.sub(self._get_pronoun, text)
         except TypeError:
             pass
         except Exception as e:
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/tests.py b/evennia/contrib/tests.py
index f5d7c1c332..33cc8df642 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/tests.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/tests.py
@@ -946,6 +946,10 @@ class TestGenderSub(CommandTest):
         self.assertEqual(
             gendersub._RE_GENDER_PRONOUN.sub(char._get_pronoun, txt), "Test their gender"
         )
+        with patch("evennia.contrib.gendersub.DefaultCharacter.msg") as mock_msg:
+            char.db.gender = "female"
+            char.msg("Test |p gender")
+            mock_msg.assert_called_with("Test her gender", from_obj=None, session=None)
 
 
 # test health bar contrib