diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_object.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_object.cpp
index b63585a31..4b9beaec3 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_object.cpp
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_object.cpp
@@ -721,8 +721,7 @@ int ObjectRef::l_set_nametag_attributes(lua_State *L)
 	}
 	lua_pop(L, 1);
 
-	std::string nametag = getstringfield_default(L, 2, "text", "");
-	prop->nametag = nametag;
+	prop->nametag = getstringfield_default(L, 2, "text", prop->nametag);
 
 	prop->validate();
 	sao->notifyObjectPropertiesModified();