diff --git a/crops/beans.lua b/crops/beans.lua
index 61b195b..a575956 100644
--- a/crops/beans.lua
+++ b/crops/beans.lua
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ local function place_beans(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, plantname)
 	end
 
 	-- is player planting crop?
-	local name = placer:get_player_name() or ""
+	local name = placer and placer:get_player_name() or ""
 
 	-- check for protection
 	if minetest.is_protected(pt.under, name) then
diff --git a/crops/cocoa.lua b/crops/cocoa.lua
index 8424db4..19e9c6b 100644
--- a/crops/cocoa.lua
+++ b/crops/cocoa.lua
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ local function place_cocoa(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, plantname)
 	end
 
 	-- is player planting crop?
-	local name = placer:get_player_name() or ""
+	local name = placer and placer:get_player_name() or ""
 
 	-- check for protection
 	if minetest.is_protected(pt.above, name) then
diff --git a/crops/grapes.lua b/crops/grapes.lua
index 8781ece..d8c6c3f 100644
--- a/crops/grapes.lua
+++ b/crops/grapes.lua
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ local function place_grapes(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, plantname)
 	end
 
 	-- is player planting seed?
-	local name = placer:get_player_name() or ""
+	local name = placer and placer:get_player_name() or ""
 
 	-- check for protection
 	if minetest.is_protected(pt.under, name) then
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 4f5f2be..038ba6d 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ function farming.place_seed(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, plantname)
 	end
 
 	-- is player planting seed?
-	local name = placer:get_player_name() or ""
+	local name = placer and placer:get_player_name() or ""
 
 	-- if not protected then add node and remove 1 item from the itemstack
 	if not minetest.is_protected(pt.above, name) then