diff --git a/api.lua b/api.lua
index a019c79..088d513 100644
--- a/api.lua
+++ b/api.lua
@@ -3846,6 +3846,8 @@ function mobs:register_egg(mob, desc, background, addegg, no_creative)
 				local mob = minetest.add_entity(pos, mob, data)
 				local ent = mob:get_luaentity()
 
+				if not ent then return end -- sanity check
+
 				-- set owner if not a monster
 				if ent.type ~= "monster" then
 					ent.owner = placer:get_player_name()
@@ -3891,6 +3893,8 @@ function mobs:register_egg(mob, desc, background, addegg, no_creative)
 				local mob = minetest.add_entity(pos, mob)
 				local ent = mob:get_luaentity()
 
+				if not ent then return end -- sanity check
+
 				-- don't set owner if monster or sneak pressed
 				if ent.type ~= "monster"
 				and not placer:get_player_control().sneak then