diff --git a/builtin/game/async.lua b/builtin/game/async.lua
index 469f179d7..f85864649 100644
--- a/builtin/game/async.lua
+++ b/builtin/game/async.lua
@@ -8,15 +8,34 @@ function core.async_event_handler(jobid, retval)
 	core.async_jobs[jobid] = nil
 end
 
-function core.handle_async(func, callback, ...)
+local function prepare_async_args(func, callback, ...)
 	assert(type(func) == "function" and type(callback) == "function",
-		"Invalid minetest.handle_async invocation")
+		"Invalid invocation of minetest.handle_async or AsyncJob:replace")
 	local args = {n = select("#", ...), ...}
 	local mod_origin = core.get_last_run_mod()
 
-	local jobid = core.do_async_callback(func, args, mod_origin)
-	core.async_jobs[jobid] = callback
-
-	return true
+	return func, args, mod_origin
 end
 
+function core.handle_async(func, callback, ...)
+	local job = core.do_async_callback(prepare_async_args(func, callback, ...))
+	core.async_jobs[job:get_id()] = callback
+
+	return job
+end
+
+if core.async_job_methods then
+	local replace_job = core.async_job_methods.replace
+	function core.async_job_methods:replace(func, callback, ...)
+		local newjob = replace_job(self, prepare_async_args(func, callback, ...))
+		core.async_jobs[newjob:get_id()] = callback
+		return newjob
+	end
+
+	local dummy = function() end
+	function core.async_job_methods:cancel()
+		return self:get_id() == self:replace(dummy, dummy):get_id()
+	end
+
+	core.async_job_methods = nil
+end
diff --git a/doc/lua_api.md b/doc/lua_api.md
index d338d23b2..5ab8196e7 100644
--- a/doc/lua_api.md
+++ b/doc/lua_api.md
@@ -6689,6 +6689,16 @@ This allows you easy interoperability for delegating work to jobs.
     * When `func` returns the callback is called (in the normal environment)
       with all of the return values as arguments.
     * Optional: Variable number of arguments that are passed to `func`
+    * Returns the ID of the async job.
+* `minetest.replace_async(id, func, callback, ...)`:
+    * Try to replace the job with the given ID. The new job is otherwise queued
+      as if by `minetest.handle_async`.
+    * Note that the `func`, `callback` and variable arguments are all replaced.
+    * Returns the ID of the new async job. This is the same as the previous id
+      if the previous job was canceled.
+* `minetest.cancel_async(id)`:
+    * Try to cancel the job with the given ID.
+    * Returns whether the job was canceled.
 * `minetest.register_async_dofile(path)`:
     * Register a path to a Lua file to be imported when an async environment
       is initialized. You can use this to preload code which you can then call
diff --git a/games/devtest/mods/unittests/async_env.lua b/games/devtest/mods/unittests/async_env.lua
index d7a714941..5e16a4339 100644
--- a/games/devtest/mods/unittests/async_env.lua
+++ b/games/devtest/mods/unittests/async_env.lua
@@ -207,3 +207,55 @@ local function test_vector_preserve(cb)
 	end, {vec})
 end
 unittests.register("test_async_vector", test_vector_preserve, {async=true})
+
+local function test_async_job_replacement(cb)
+	local job = core.handle_async(function(x)
+		return x
+	end, function(ret)
+		return cb("Replaced async callback still run")
+	end, 1)
+	local newjob = job:replace(function(x)
+		return -x
+	end, function(ret)
+		if ret ~= -2 then
+			return cb("Wrong async value passed")
+		end
+	end, 2)
+	if job:get_id() ~= newjob:get_id() then
+		return cb("AsyncJob:replace sanity check failed")
+	end
+
+	job = core.handle_async(function(x)
+		return x
+	end, function()
+		return cb("Canceled async job run")
+	end)
+	if not job:cancel() then
+		return cb("core.cancel_async sanity check failed")
+	end
+
+	-- Try to replace a job that is already run. Do this by delaying the main thread by some time.
+	job = core.handle_async(function(x)
+		return x
+	end, function(ret)
+		if ret ~= 1 then
+			return cb("Wrong async value passed to old handler")
+		end
+
+		newjob = job:replace(function(x)
+			return -x
+		end, function(new_ret)
+			if new_ret ~= -2 then
+				return cb("Wrong async value passed to new handler")
+			end
+			cb()
+		end, 2)
+		if job:get_id() == newjob:get_id() then
+			return cb("AsyncJob:replace replaced a completed job")
+		end
+		if job:cancel() then
+			return cb("AsyncJob:replace canceled a completed job")
+		end
+	end, 1)
+end
+unittests.register("test_async_job_replacement", test_async_job_replacement, {async=true})
diff --git a/src/script/cpp_api/s_async.cpp b/src/script/cpp_api/s_async.cpp
index 75b1a8205..fc19dbb8b 100644
--- a/src/script/cpp_api/s_async.cpp
+++ b/src/script/cpp_api/s_async.cpp
@@ -35,6 +35,16 @@ extern "C" {
 #include "common/c_packer.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_base.h"
 
+LuaJobInfo::LuaJobInfo(std::string &&func, std::string &&params, const std::string &mod_origin):
+	function(func), params(params), mod_origin(mod_origin)
+{}
+
+LuaJobInfo::LuaJobInfo(std::string &&func, PackedValue *params, const std::string &mod_origin):
+	function(func), mod_origin(mod_origin)
+{
+	params_ext.reset(params);
+}
+
 /******************************************************************************/
 AsyncEngine::~AsyncEngine()
 {
@@ -101,40 +111,64 @@ void AsyncEngine::addWorkerThread()
 }
 
 /******************************************************************************/
-u32 AsyncEngine::queueAsyncJob(std::string &&func, std::string &&params,
-		const std::string &mod_origin)
+
+u32 AsyncEngine::queueAsyncJob(LuaJobInfo &&job)
 {
 	MutexAutoLock autolock(jobQueueMutex);
 	u32 jobId = jobIdCounter++;
 
-	jobQueue.emplace_back();
-	auto &to_add = jobQueue.back();
-	to_add.id = jobId;
-	to_add.function = std::move(func);
-	to_add.params = std::move(params);
-	to_add.mod_origin = mod_origin;
+	job.id = jobId;
+	jobQueue.push_back(std::move(job));
 
 	jobQueueCounter.post();
 	return jobId;
 }
 
+u32 AsyncEngine::queueAsyncJob(std::string &&func, std::string &&params,
+		const std::string &mod_origin)
+{
+	LuaJobInfo to_add(std::move(func), std::move(params), mod_origin);
+	return queueAsyncJob(std::move(to_add));
+}
+
 u32 AsyncEngine::queueAsyncJob(std::string &&func, PackedValue *params,
 		const std::string &mod_origin)
 {
-	MutexAutoLock autolock(jobQueueMutex);
-	u32 jobId = jobIdCounter++;
+	LuaJobInfo to_add(std::move(func), params, mod_origin);
+	return queueAsyncJob(std::move(to_add));
+}
 
-	jobQueue.emplace_back();
-	auto &to_add = jobQueue.back();
-	to_add.id = jobId;
-	to_add.function = std::move(func);
-	to_add.params_ext.reset(params);
-	to_add.mod_origin = mod_origin;
+u32 AsyncEngine::replaceAsyncJob(const u32 &oldId, LuaJobInfo &&job)
+{
+	MutexAutoLock autolock(jobQueueMutex);
+	int pos = oldId - (jobIdCounter - jobQueue.size());
+	u32 jobId = oldId;
+	if (pos < 0 || pos >= jobQueue.size()) {
+		job.id = jobId = jobIdCounter++;
+		jobQueue.push_back(std::move(job));
+	} else {
+		job.id = jobId;
+		jobQueue[pos] = std::move(job);
+	}
 
 	jobQueueCounter.post();
 	return jobId;
 }
 
+u32 AsyncEngine::replaceAsyncJob(const u32 &oldId, std::string &&func, std::string &&params,
+		const std::string &mod_origin)
+{
+	LuaJobInfo to_add(std::move(func), std::move(params), mod_origin);
+	return replaceAsyncJob(oldId, std::move(to_add));
+}
+
+u32 AsyncEngine::replaceAsyncJob(const u32 &oldId, std::string &&func, PackedValue *params,
+		const std::string &mod_origin)
+{
+	LuaJobInfo to_add(std::move(func), params, mod_origin);
+	return replaceAsyncJob(oldId, std::move(to_add));
+}
+
 /******************************************************************************/
 bool AsyncEngine::getJob(LuaJobInfo *job)
 {
@@ -389,3 +423,21 @@ void* AsyncWorkerThread::run()
 	return 0;
 }
 
+u32 ScriptApiAsync::queueAsync(std::string &&serialized_func,
+		PackedValue *param, const std::string &mod_origin)
+{
+	return asyncEngine.queueAsyncJob(std::move(serialized_func),
+			param, mod_origin);
+}
+
+u32 ScriptApiAsync::replaceAsync(const u32 &id, std::string &&serialized_func,
+		PackedValue *param, const std::string &mod_origin)
+{
+	return asyncEngine.replaceAsyncJob(id, std::move(serialized_func),
+			param, mod_origin);
+}
+
+void ScriptApiAsync::stepAsync()
+{
+	asyncEngine.step(getStack());
+}
diff --git a/src/script/cpp_api/s_async.h b/src/script/cpp_api/s_async.h
index 1e34e40ea..691242dbc 100644
--- a/src/script/cpp_api/s_async.h
+++ b/src/script/cpp_api/s_async.h
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ class AsyncEngine;
 struct LuaJobInfo
 {
 	LuaJobInfo() = default;
+	LuaJobInfo(std::string &&func, std::string &&params, const std::string &mod_origin = "");
+	LuaJobInfo(std::string &&func, PackedValue *params, const std::string &mod_origin = "");
 
 	// Function to be called in async environment (from string.dump)
 	std::string function;
@@ -114,6 +116,26 @@ public:
 	u32 queueAsyncJob(std::string &&func, PackedValue *params,
 			const std::string &mod_origin = "");
 
+	/**
+	 * Replace an async job if possible or queue the job otherwise
+	 * @param oldId The ID of the job to replace
+	 * @param func Serialized lua function
+	 * @param params Serialized parameters
+	 * @return jobid The job is replaced or queued
+	 */
+	u32 replaceAsyncJob(const u32 &oldId, std::string &&func, std::string &&params,
+			const std::string &mod_origin = "");
+
+	/**
+	 * Replace an async job if possible or queue the job otherwise
+	 * @param oldId The ID of the job to replace
+	 * @param func Serialized lua function
+	 * @param params Serialized parameters (takes ownership!)
+	 * @return ID of queued job
+	 */
+	u32 replaceAsyncJob(const u32 &oldId, std::string &&func, PackedValue *params,
+			const std::string &mod_origin = "");
+
 	/**
 	 * Engine step to process finished jobs
 	 * @param L The Lua stack
@@ -129,6 +151,21 @@ protected:
 	 */
 	bool getJob(LuaJobInfo *job);
 
+	/**
+	 * Queue an async job
+	 * @param job The job to queue (takes ownership!)
+	 * @return Id of the queued job
+	 */
+	u32 queueAsyncJob(LuaJobInfo &&job);
+
+	/**
+	 * Replace an async job if possible or queue the job otherwise
+	 * @param jobId The Id of the job to replace
+	 * @param job The new job to use in-place (takes ownership!)
+	 * @return Id of the new job
+	 */
+	u32 replaceAsyncJob(const u32 &jobId, LuaJobInfo &&job);
+
 	/**
 	 * Put a Job result back to result queue
 	 * @param result result of completed job
@@ -195,3 +232,21 @@ private:
 	// Counter semaphore for job dispatching
 	Semaphore jobQueueCounter;
 };
+
+class ScriptApiAsync:
+	virtual public ScriptApiBase
+{
+public:
+	ScriptApiAsync(Server *server): asyncEngine(server) {}
+
+	virtual void initAsync() = 0;
+	void stepAsync();
+
+	u32 queueAsync(std::string &&serialized_func,
+			PackedValue *param, const std::string &mod_origin);
+	u32 replaceAsync(const u32 &id, std::string &&serialized_func,
+			PackedValue *param, const std::string &mod_origin);
+
+protected:
+	AsyncEngine asyncEngine;
+};
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/CMakeLists.txt b/src/script/lua_api/CMakeLists.txt
index d9405e4fe..dac9f40c8 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 set(common_SCRIPT_LUA_API_SRCS
 	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_areastore.cpp
+	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_async.cpp
 	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_auth.cpp
 	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_base.cpp
 	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_craft.cpp
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_async.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_async.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e2c8ec7be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_async.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+#include "lua_api/l_internal.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_async.h"
+#include "cpp_api/s_async.h"
+
+// garbage collector
+int LuaAsyncJob::gc_object(lua_State *L)
+{
+	LuaAsyncJob *o = *(LuaAsyncJob **)(lua_touserdata(L, 1));
+	delete o;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+// get_id() -> id
+int LuaAsyncJob::l_get_id(lua_State *L)
+{
+	NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED;
+	LuaAsyncJob *o = checkObject<LuaAsyncJob>(L, 1);
+	lua_pushinteger(L, o->get_id());
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static std::string get_serialized_function(lua_State *L, int index)
+{
+	luaL_checktype(L, index, LUA_TFUNCTION);
+	call_string_dump(L, index);
+	size_t func_length;
+	const char *serialized_func_raw = lua_tolstring(L, -1, &func_length);
+	return std::string(serialized_func_raw, func_length);
+}
+
+// replace(self, func, params, mod_origin) -> new_job
+// This implements the part that is strictly needed for replacing the job.
+// The actual LuaAsyncJob:replace used by mods is implemented in Lua based on this.
+int LuaAsyncJob::l_replace(lua_State *L)
+{
+	NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED;
+	ScriptApiAsync *script = getScriptApi<ScriptApiAsync>(L);
+
+	luaL_checktype(L, 3, LUA_TTABLE);
+	luaL_checktype(L, 4, LUA_TSTRING);
+
+	LuaAsyncJob *o = checkObject<LuaAsyncJob>(L, 1);
+	u32 id = o->get_id();
+	auto serialized_func = get_serialized_function(L, 2);
+	PackedValue *param = script_pack(L, 3);
+	std::string mod_origin = readParam<std::string>(L, 4);
+
+	u32 jobId = script->replaceAsync(id,
+		std::move(serialized_func),
+		param, mod_origin);
+
+	lua_settop(L, 0);
+	create(L, jobId);
+	return 1;
+}
+
+int LuaAsyncJob::create(lua_State *L, const int id)
+{
+	NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED;
+	LuaAsyncJob *o = new LuaAsyncJob(id);
+	*(void **)(lua_newuserdata(L, sizeof(void *))) = o;
+	luaL_getmetatable(L, className);
+	lua_setmetatable(L, -2);
+	return 1;
+}
+
+void LuaAsyncJob::Register(lua_State *L)
+{
+	static const luaL_Reg metamethods[] = {
+		{"__gc", gc_object},
+		{0, 0}
+	};
+
+	registerClass(L, className, methods, metamethods);
+
+	// Expose __index to be complemented by Lua.
+	lua_getglobal(L, "core");
+	luaL_getmetatable(L, className);
+	lua_getfield(L, -1, "__index");
+	lua_setfield(L, -3, "async_job_methods");
+}
+
+const char LuaAsyncJob::className[] = "AsyncJob";
+const luaL_Reg LuaAsyncJob::methods[] = {
+	luamethod(LuaAsyncJob, get_id),
+	luamethod(LuaAsyncJob, replace),
+	{0, 0}
+};
+
+
+// do_async_callback(func, params, mod_origin)
+int ModApiAsync::l_do_async_callback(lua_State *L)
+{
+	NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED;
+	ScriptApiAsync *script = getScriptApi<ScriptApiAsync>(L);
+
+	luaL_checktype(L, 2, LUA_TTABLE);
+	luaL_checktype(L, 3, LUA_TSTRING);
+
+	auto serialized_func = get_serialized_function(L, 1);
+	PackedValue *param = script_pack(L, 2);
+	std::string mod_origin = readParam<std::string>(L, 3);
+
+	u32 jobId = script->queueAsync(
+		std::move(serialized_func),
+		param, mod_origin);
+
+	lua_settop(L, 0);
+	LuaAsyncJob::create(L, jobId);
+	return 1;
+}
+
+void ModApiAsync::Initialize(lua_State *L, int top)
+{
+	API_FCT(do_async_callback);
+}
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_async.h b/src/script/lua_api/l_async.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..719a3cc90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_async.h
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "lua_api/l_base.h"
+#include "util/basic_macros.h"
+
+class LuaAsyncJob : public ModApiBase
+{
+private:
+	const int id;
+
+	LuaAsyncJob(const int id): id(id) {}
+
+	static const luaL_Reg methods[];
+
+	// garbage collector
+	static int gc_object(lua_State *L);
+
+	// get_id(self) -> id
+	static int l_get_id(lua_State *L);
+
+	// replace(self, func, params, mod_origin) -> id; partially implemented in Lua
+	static int l_replace(lua_State *L);
+
+	// cancel(self) -> boolean: implemented in Lua
+
+public:
+	DISABLE_CLASS_COPY(LuaAsyncJob)
+
+	int get_id() const { return id; }
+
+	static int create(lua_State *L, const int id);
+
+	static void Register(lua_State *L);
+	static const char className[];
+};
+
+class ModApiAsync : public ModApiBase
+{
+public:
+	static void Initialize(lua_State *L, int top);
+private:
+	// do_async_callback(func, params, mod_origin)
+	static int l_do_async_callback(lua_State *L);
+};
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_server.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_server.cpp
index af9a526e0..4bce37532 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_server.cpp
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_server.cpp
@@ -648,33 +648,6 @@ int ModApiServer::l_notify_authentication_modified(lua_State *L)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-// do_async_callback(func, params, mod_origin)
-int ModApiServer::l_do_async_callback(lua_State *L)
-{
-	NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED;
-	ServerScripting *script = getScriptApi<ServerScripting>(L);
-
-	luaL_checktype(L, 1, LUA_TFUNCTION);
-	luaL_checktype(L, 2, LUA_TTABLE);
-	luaL_checktype(L, 3, LUA_TSTRING);
-
-	call_string_dump(L, 1);
-	size_t func_length;
-	const char *serialized_func_raw = lua_tolstring(L, -1, &func_length);
-
-	PackedValue *param = script_pack(L, 2);
-
-	std::string mod_origin = readParam<std::string>(L, 3);
-
-	u32 jobId = script->queueAsync(
-		std::string(serialized_func_raw, func_length),
-		param, mod_origin);
-
-	lua_settop(L, 0);
-	lua_pushinteger(L, jobId);
-	return 1;
-}
-
 // register_async_dofile(path)
 int ModApiServer::l_register_async_dofile(lua_State *L)
 {
@@ -770,7 +743,6 @@ void ModApiServer::Initialize(lua_State *L, int top)
 	API_FCT(unban_player_or_ip);
 	API_FCT(notify_authentication_modified);
 
-	API_FCT(do_async_callback);
 	API_FCT(register_async_dofile);
 	API_FCT(serialize_roundtrip);
 
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_server.h b/src/script/lua_api/l_server.h
index 505dce735..880a22953 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_server.h
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_server.h
@@ -115,9 +115,6 @@ private:
 	// notify_authentication_modified(name)
 	static int l_notify_authentication_modified(lua_State *L);
 
-	// do_async_callback(func, params, mod_origin)
-	static int l_do_async_callback(lua_State *L);
-
 	// register_async_dofile(path)
 	static int l_register_async_dofile(lua_State *L);
 
diff --git a/src/script/scripting_server.cpp b/src/script/scripting_server.cpp
index 324850011..eaea5a57a 100644
--- a/src/script/scripting_server.cpp
+++ b/src/script/scripting_server.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "filesys.h"
 #include "cpp_api/s_internal.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_areastore.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_async.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_auth.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_base.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_craft.h"
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 ServerScripting::ServerScripting(Server* server):
 		ScriptApiBase(ScriptingType::Server),
-		asyncEngine(server)
+		ScriptApiAsync(server)
 {
 	setGameDef(server);
 
@@ -128,24 +129,13 @@ void ServerScripting::initAsync()
 	asyncEngine.initialize(0);
 }
 
-void ServerScripting::stepAsync()
-{
-	asyncEngine.step(getStack());
-}
-
-u32 ServerScripting::queueAsync(std::string &&serialized_func,
-	PackedValue *param, const std::string &mod_origin)
-{
-	return asyncEngine.queueAsyncJob(std::move(serialized_func),
-			param, mod_origin);
-}
-
 void ServerScripting::InitializeModApi(lua_State *L, int top)
 {
 	// Register reference classes (userdata)
 	InvRef::Register(L);
 	ItemStackMetaRef::Register(L);
 	LuaAreaStore::Register(L);
+	LuaAsyncJob::Register(L);
 	LuaItemStack::Register(L);
 	LuaPerlinNoise::Register(L);
 	LuaPerlinNoiseMap::Register(L);
@@ -163,6 +153,7 @@ void ServerScripting::InitializeModApi(lua_State *L, int top)
 	ModChannelRef::Register(L);
 
 	// Initialize mod api modules
+	ModApiAsync::Initialize(L, top);
 	ModApiAuth::Initialize(L, top);
 	ModApiCraft::Initialize(L, top);
 	ModApiEnv::Initialize(L, top);
diff --git a/src/script/scripting_server.h b/src/script/scripting_server.h
index 20d99313a..23f008b0c 100644
--- a/src/script/scripting_server.h
+++ b/src/script/scripting_server.h
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ struct PackedValue;
 
 class ServerScripting:
 		virtual public ScriptApiBase,
+		public ScriptApiAsync,
 		public ScriptApiDetached,
 		public ScriptApiEntity,
 		public ScriptApiEnv,
@@ -58,17 +59,8 @@ public:
 	// Initialize async engine, call this AFTER loading all mods
 	void initAsync();
 
-	// Global step handler to collect async results
-	void stepAsync();
-
-	// Pass job to async threads
-	u32 queueAsync(std::string &&serialized_func,
-		PackedValue *param, const std::string &mod_origin);
-
 private:
 	void InitializeModApi(lua_State *L, int top);
 
 	static void InitializeAsync(lua_State *L, int top);
-
-	AsyncEngine asyncEngine;
 };