diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 80f20b5..833a0c0 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ end
 -- as it's called on every step
 local vector_distance = vector.distance
 local min = math.min
-local max_breath = minetest.PLAYER_MAX_BREATH_DEFAULT or 11
+local max = {
+	breath = 11,
+	hp = 20,
+}
 
 local mt_5 = minetest.features.object_independent_selectionbox
 
@@ -29,6 +32,14 @@ local function add_gauge(player)
 	end
 end
 
+-- credit: https://github.com/minetest/minetest/blob/6de8d77e17017cd5cc7b065d42566b6b1cd076cc/builtin/game/statbars.lua#L30-L37
+local function scaleToDefault(player, field)
+	-- Scale "hp" or "breath" to supported amount
+	local current = player["get_" .. field](player)
+	local max_display = math.max(player:get_properties()[field .. "_max"], current)
+	return current / max_display * max[field]
+end
+
 minetest.register_entity("gauges:hp_bar", {
 	visual = "sprite",
 	visual_size = {x=1, y=1/16, z=1},
@@ -50,12 +61,8 @@ minetest.register_entity("gauges:hp_bar", {
 			return
 		end
 
-		-- hp calc credit: https://github.com/minetest/minetest/blob/6de8d77e17017cd5cc7b065d42566b6b1cd076cc/builtin/game/statbars.lua#L30-L37
-		local current = player:get_hp()
-		local max_display = math.max(20, math.max(player:get_properties().hp_max, current))
-		local hp = current / max_display * 20
-
-		local breath = min(player:get_breath(), max_breath)
+		local hp = scaleToDefault(player, "hp")
+		local breath = scaleToDefault(player, "breath")
 
 		if self.hp ~= hp or self.breath ~= breath then
 			local health_t = "health_"..hp..".png"