diff --git a/mods/stairs/init.lua b/mods/stairs/init.lua
index 055a8a6e..fabd9642 100644
--- a/mods/stairs/init.lua
+++ b/mods/stairs/init.lua
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ local function rotate_and_place(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 		local placer_pos = placer:get_pos()
 		if placer_pos then
 			local diff = vector.subtract(p1, placer_pos)
-			param2 = minetest.dir_to_facedir(vecdiff)
+			param2 = minetest.dir_to_facedir(diff)
 			-- The player places a node on the side face of the node he is standing on
 			if p0.y == p1.y and math.abs(diff.x) <= 0.5 and math.abs(diff.z) <= 0.5 and diff.y < 0 then
 				-- reverse node direction