diff --git a/doc/lua_api.md b/doc/lua_api.md
index 30b7e46bc..329f17b01 100644
--- a/doc/lua_api.md
+++ b/doc/lua_api.md
@@ -9095,20 +9095,20 @@ Used by `minetest.register_node`, `minetest.register_craftitem`, and
     -- Otherwise should be name of node which the client immediately places
     -- upon digging. Server will always update with actual result shortly.
 
-    touch_interaction = {
-        -- Only affects touchscreen clients.
-        -- Defines the meaning of short and long taps with the item in hand.
-        -- The fields in this table can be set to the following values:
-        -- * "user"                 (meaning depends on client-side settings)
-        -- * "long_dig_short_place" (long tap  = dig, short tap = place)
-        -- * "short_dig_long_place" (short tap = dig, long tap  = place)
-        -- The field to be used is selected according to the current
-        -- `pointed_thing`.
-
-        pointed_nothing = "user",
-        pointed_node    = "user",
-        pointed_object  = "user",
+    touch_interaction = <TouchInteractionMode> OR {
+        pointed_nothing = <TouchInteractionMode>,
+        pointed_node    = <TouchInteractionMode>,
+        pointed_object  = <TouchInteractionMode>,
     },
+      -- Only affects touchscreen clients.
+      -- Defines the meaning of short and long taps with the item in hand.
+      -- If specified as a table, the field to be used is selected according to
+      -- the current `pointed_thing`.
+      -- There are three possible TouchInteractionMode values:
+      -- * "user"                 (meaning depends on client-side settings)
+      -- * "long_dig_short_place" (long tap  = dig, short tap = place)
+      -- * "short_dig_long_place" (short tap = dig, long tap  = place)
+      -- The default value is "user".
 
     sound = {
         -- Definition of item sounds to be played at various events.
diff --git a/src/script/common/c_content.cpp b/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
index 02f69b3e1..de4f2fe02 100644
--- a/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
+++ b/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
@@ -156,17 +156,24 @@ void read_item_definition(lua_State* L, int index,
 
 	getboolfield(L, index, "wallmounted_rotate_vertical", def.wallmounted_rotate_vertical);
 
+	TouchInteraction &inter = def.touch_interaction;
 	lua_getfield(L, index, "touch_interaction");
-	if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
-		luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TTABLE);
-
-		TouchInteraction &inter = def.touch_interaction;
+	if (lua_istable(L, -1)) {
 		inter.pointed_nothing = (TouchInteractionMode)getenumfield(L, -1, "pointed_nothing",
 				es_TouchInteractionMode, inter.pointed_nothing);
 		inter.pointed_node = (TouchInteractionMode)getenumfield(L, -1, "pointed_node",
 				es_TouchInteractionMode, inter.pointed_node);
 		inter.pointed_object = (TouchInteractionMode)getenumfield(L, -1, "pointed_object",
 				es_TouchInteractionMode, inter.pointed_object);
+	} else if (lua_isstring(L, -1)) {
+		int value;
+		if (string_to_enum(es_TouchInteractionMode, value, lua_tostring(L, -1))) {
+			inter.pointed_nothing = (TouchInteractionMode)value;
+			inter.pointed_node    = (TouchInteractionMode)value;
+			inter.pointed_object  = (TouchInteractionMode)value;
+		}
+	} else if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+		throw LuaError("invalid type for 'touch_interaction'");
 	}
 	lua_pop(L, 1);
 }