diff --git a/signs_lib/init.lua b/signs_lib/init.lua
index a93fba6d..ce3e37a1 100644
--- a/signs_lib/init.lua
+++ b/signs_lib/init.lua
@@ -858,21 +858,21 @@ function signs_lib.register_fence_with_sign(fencename, fencewithsignname)
     fences_with_sign[fencename] = fencewithsignname
 
     def_sign.on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, ...)
-		local node_above = minetest.get_node(pointed_thing.above)
-		local node_under = minetest.get_node(pointed_thing.under)
-		local def_above = minetest.registered_nodes[node_above.name]
-		local def_under = minetest.registered_nodes[node_under.name]
+		local node_above = minetest.get_node_or_nil(pointed_thing.above)
+		local node_under = minetest.get_node_or_nil(pointed_thing.under)
+		local def_above = node_above and minetest.registered_nodes[node_above.name]
+		local def_under = node_under and minetest.registered_nodes[node_under.name]
 		local fdir = minetest.dir_to_facedir(placer:get_look_dir())
 		local playername = placer:get_player_name()
 
 		if minetest.is_protected(pointed_thing.under, playername) then
 			minetest.record_protection_violation(pointed_thing.under, playername)
-			return
+			return itemstack
 		end
 
 		if minetest.is_protected(pointed_thing.above, playername) then
 			minetest.record_protection_violation(pointed_thing.above, playername)
-			return
+			return itemstack
 		end
 
 		if def_under and def_under.on_rightclick then
@@ -883,15 +883,14 @@ function signs_lib.register_fence_with_sign(fencename, fencewithsignname)
 				itemstack:take_item()
 			end
 			placer:set_wielded_item(itemstack)
-			return itemstack
-		elseif not def_above or def_above.buildable_to then
+		elseif def_above and def_above.buildable_to then
 			minetest.add_node(pointed_thing.above, {name = fencename, param2 = fdir})
 			if not signs_lib.expect_infinite_stacks then
 				itemstack:take_item()
 			end
 			placer:set_wielded_item(itemstack)
-			return itemstack
 		end
+		return itemstack
 	end
 	def_sign.on_construct = function(pos, ...)
 		signs_lib.construct_sign(pos)