diff --git a/homedecor/doors_and_gates.lua b/homedecor/doors_and_gates.lua
index df356b1c..068704a3 100644
--- a/homedecor/doors_and_gates.lua
+++ b/homedecor/doors_and_gates.lua
@@ -412,13 +412,6 @@ minetest.register_alias("homedecor:fence_picket_gate_white_closed", "homedecor:g
 
 ----- helper functions
 
-local function get_nodedef_field(nodename, fieldname)
-	if not minetest.registered_nodes[nodename] then
-		return nil
-	end
-	return minetest.registered_nodes[nodename][fieldname]
-end
-
 function homedecor.place_door(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, name, forceright)
 
 	local pointed = pointed_thing.under
@@ -459,8 +452,8 @@ function homedecor.place_door(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, name, forceright
 			return
 		end
 
-		if not get_nodedef_field(node_bottom.name, "buildable_to") 
-		    or not get_nodedef_field(node_top.name, "buildable_to") then
+		if not homedecor.get_nodedef_field(node_bottom.name, "buildable_to") 
+		    or not homedecor.get_nodedef_field(node_top.name, "buildable_to") then
 			minetest.chat_send_player( placer:get_player_name(), S('Not enough space above that spot to place a door!') )
 		else
 			local fdir = minetest.dir_to_facedir(placer:get_look_dir())
diff --git a/homedecor/init.lua b/homedecor/init.lua
index fc5c4117..a59f66a7 100644
--- a/homedecor/init.lua
+++ b/homedecor/init.lua
@@ -54,6 +54,14 @@ function homedecor.table_copy(t)
     return nt
 end
 
+-- 
+
+function homedecor.get_nodedef_field(nodename, fieldname)
+	if not minetest.registered_nodes[nodename] then
+		return nil
+	end
+	return minetest.registered_nodes[nodename][fieldname]
+end
 
 -- load various other components
 
diff --git a/homedecor/tables.lua b/homedecor/tables.lua
index ac90eec4..5d6fd543 100644
--- a/homedecor/tables.lua
+++ b/homedecor/tables.lua
@@ -489,13 +489,6 @@ minetest.register_node('homedecor:utility_table_legs', {
 	},
 })
 
-local function get_nodedef_field(nodename, fieldname)
-	if not minetest.registered_nodes[nodename] then
-		return nil
-	end
-	return minetest.registered_nodes[nodename][fieldname]
-end
-
 local fdir_to_right = {
 	{  1,  0 },
 	{  0, -1 },
@@ -546,8 +539,8 @@ minetest.register_node("homedecor:desk", {
 		local tnode = minetest.get_node(pos)
 		local tnode2 = minetest.get_node(pos2)
 
-		if get_nodedef_field(tnode.name, "buildable_to")
-		  and get_nodedef_field(tnode2.name, "buildable_to")
+		if homedecor.get_nodedef_field(tnode.name, "buildable_to")
+		  and homedecor.get_nodedef_field(tnode2.name, "buildable_to")
 		  and not minetest.is_protected(pos, placer:get_player_name())
 		  and not minetest.is_protected(pos2, placer:get_player_name()) then
 			minetest.add_node(pos, { name = "homedecor:desk", param2 = fdir })