diff --git a/mods/default/nodes.lua b/mods/default/nodes.lua
index f14e8b21..016b6aa8 100644
--- a/mods/default/nodes.lua
+++ b/mods/default/nodes.lua
@@ -1783,13 +1783,14 @@ local function get_chest_formspec(pos)
 end
 
 local function chest_lid_obstructed(pos)
-	local above = { x = pos.x, y = pos.y + 1, z = pos.z }
+	local above = {x = pos.x, y = pos.y + 1, z = pos.z}
 	local def = minetest.registered_nodes[minetest.get_node(above).name]
 	-- allow ladders, signs, wallmounted things and torches to not obstruct
-	if def.drawtype == "airlike" or
+	if def and
+			(def.drawtype == "airlike" or
 			def.drawtype == "signlike" or
 			def.drawtype == "torchlike" or
-			(def.drawtype == "nodebox" and def.paramtype2 == "wallmounted") then
+			(def.drawtype == "nodebox" and def.paramtype2 == "wallmounted")) then
 		return false
 	end
 	return true