diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ff9e1cb..7364049 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ on that line.
 
 ## Version compatibility
 
-Gauges is currently primarily tested with Minetest 5.1.0 and 0.4.17. It may or may not work
-with newer or older versions. Issues arising in versions older than 5.0.0
+Gauges is currently support Minetest 5.0+ and 0.4.17+. This does not work with older versions.
+Issues arising in versions older than 5.0
 will generally not be fixed.
 
 ## License
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 22fede5..f82acd2 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -50,8 +50,13 @@ minetest.register_entity("gauges:hp_bar", {
 local function add_gauge(player)
 	if player and minetest.is_player(player) then
 		local entity = minetest.add_entity(player:get_pos(), "gauges:hp_bar")
-		-- check for minetest_game 0.4.*
-		local height = minetest.get_modpath("player_api") and 19 or 9
+		local height = 19
+
+		-- check for Minetest 0.4.17
+		local version = tonumber(minetest.get_version().string:sub(1, 1))
+		if version and version < 5 then
+			height = 9
+		end
 
 		entity:set_attach(player, "", {x=0, y=height, z=0}, {x=0, y=0, z=0})
 		entity:get_luaentity().wielder = player