diff --git a/lib/main.lua b/lib/main.lua
index e6c6a1f..64d6a2e 100644
--- a/lib/main.lua
+++ b/lib/main.lua
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ local WORLD_CYCLE = 30.00	* climate_mod.settings.tick_speed	-- only update globa
 local gs_timer = 0
 local world_timer = 0
 minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
+	local player_list = minetest.get_connected_players()
+	if #player_list == 0 then return end
+
 	gs_timer = gs_timer + dtime
 	world_timer = world_timer + dtime
 
@@ -26,7 +29,7 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 		end
 	end
 
-	local current_effects = climate_mod.trigger.get_active_effects()
+	local current_effects = climate_mod.trigger.get_active_effects(player_list)
 
 	for name, effect in pairs(climate_mod.effects) do
 		local cycle = climate_mod.cycles[name].timespan * climate_mod.settings.tick_speed
diff --git a/lib/trigger.lua b/lib/trigger.lua
index d3c1091..eea1879 100644
--- a/lib/trigger.lua
+++ b/lib/trigger.lua
@@ -83,12 +83,12 @@ local function get_weather_effects(player, weather_config, env)
 	return effects
 end
 
-function trigger.get_active_effects()
+function trigger.get_active_effects(players)
 	local environments = {}
 	local effects = {}
 	climate_mod.current_weather = {}
 
-	for _, player in ipairs(minetest.get_connected_players()) do
+	for _, player in ipairs(players) do
 		local pname = player:get_player_name()
 		local hp = player:get_hp()
 		-- skip weather presets for dead players