diff --git a/builtin/game/item.lua b/builtin/game/item.lua
index ef47cd66d..d6c6469b3 100644
--- a/builtin/game/item.lua
+++ b/builtin/game/item.lua
@@ -462,10 +462,10 @@ function core.do_item_eat(hp_change, replace_with_item, itemstack, user, pointed
 			return result
 		end
 	end
+	local def = itemstack:get_definition()
 	if itemstack:take_item() ~= nil then
 		user:set_hp(user:get_hp() + hp_change)
 
-		local def = itemstack:get_definition()
 		if def and def.sound and def.sound.eat then
 			minetest.sound_play(def.sound.eat, { pos = user:get_pos(), max_hear_distance = 16 })
 		end