diff --git a/api.lua b/api.lua
index c063375..23381a5 100644
--- a/api.lua
+++ b/api.lua
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ local use_vh1 = minetest.get_modpath("visual_harm_1ndicators")
 -- Global
 mobs = {
 	mod = "redo",
-	version = "20240301",
+	version = "20240303",
 	translate = S,
 	invis = minetest.global_exists("invisibility") and invisibility or {},
 	node_snow = minetest.registered_aliases["mapgen_snow"]
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ function mob_class:collision()
 
 		pos2 = player:get_pos()
 
-		if pos2:distance(pos) < width then
+		if get_distance(pos2, pos) < width then
 
 			vec  = {x = pos.x - pos2.x, z = pos.z - pos2.z}
 			force = (width + 0.5) - vector.distance(
@@ -2253,7 +2253,7 @@ function mob_class:do_states(dtime)
 
 				local player_pos = player:get_pos()
 
-				if player_pos:distance(s) <= 3 then
+				if get_distance(player_pos, s) <= 3 then
 					lp = player_pos
 					break
 				end
@@ -3342,7 +3342,7 @@ function mob_class:mob_expire(pos, dtime)
 			-- only despawn away from player
 			for _,player in pairs(minetest.get_connected_players()) do
 
-				if player:get_pos():distance(pos) <= 15 then
+				if get_distance(player:get_pos(), pos) <= 15 then
 					self.lifetimer = 20
 					return
 				end
@@ -4069,7 +4069,7 @@ function mobs:spawn_specific(name, nodes, neighbors, min_light, max_light, inter
 		-- only spawn a set distance away from player
 		for _,player in pairs(minetest.get_connected_players()) do
 
-			if player:get_pos():distance(pos) <= mob_nospawn_range then
+			if get_distance(player:get_pos(), pos) <= mob_nospawn_range then
 --print("--- player too close", name)
 				return
 			end
diff --git a/spawner.lua b/spawner.lua
index 405dc5c..0ec0101 100644
--- a/spawner.lua
+++ b/spawner.lua
@@ -11,6 +11,16 @@ local function is_player(player)
 end
 
 
+local get_distance = function(a, b)
+
+	if not a or not b then return 50 end -- nil check and default distance
+
+	local x, y, z = a.x - b.x, a.y - b.y, a.z - b.z
+
+	return square(x * x + y * y + z * z)
+end
+
+
 -- mob spawner
 local spawner_default = "mobs_animal:pumba 10 15 0 0 0"
 
@@ -161,7 +171,7 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 
 				player = players[i]
 
-				if player:get_pos():distance(pos) <= pla then
+				if get_distance(player:get_pos(), pos) <= pla then
 
 					in_range = true