diff --git a/worldedit_commands/cuboid.lua b/worldedit_commands/cuboid.lua
index 2a5a9fb..003b358 100644
--- a/worldedit_commands/cuboid.lua
+++ b/worldedit_commands/cuboid.lua
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ minetest.register_chatcommand("/shift", {
 		end
 		
 		if axis == nil or dir == nil then
-			return false, "Invalid"
+			return false, "Invalid if looking straight up or down"
 		end
 		
 		assert(worldedit.cuboid_shift(name, axis, amount * dir))
diff --git a/worldedit_commands/cuboidapi.lua b/worldedit_commands/cuboidapi.lua
index d91b071..ce20761 100644
--- a/worldedit_commands/cuboidapi.lua
+++ b/worldedit_commands/cuboidapi.lua
@@ -215,13 +215,23 @@ worldedit.translate_direction = function(name, direction)
 	end
 	
 	if direction == "front" then
-		resaxis = axis
-		resdir = dir
+		if axis == "y" then
+			resaxis = nil
+			resdir = nil
+		else
+			resaxis = axis
+			resdir = dir
+		end
 	end
 	
 	if direction == "back" then
-		resaxis = axis
-		resdir = -dir
+		if axis == "y" then
+			resaxis = nil
+			resdir = nil
+		else
+			resaxis = axis
+			resdir = -dir
+		end
 	end
 	
 	if direction == "left" then