diff --git a/trunks/nodes.lua b/trunks/nodes.lua
index a5c0243..105f35b 100644
--- a/trunks/nodes.lua
+++ b/trunks/nodes.lua
@@ -44,14 +44,19 @@ for i in pairs(NoDe) do
 		liquids_pointable = true,
 		on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 			local pt = pointed_thing
-			if not minetest.is_protected(pt.above, placer:get_player_name()) then
-				local direction = minetest.dir_to_facedir(placer:get_look_dir())
-				if minetest.get_node(pt.above).name=="air" then
-					minetest.swap_node(pt.above, {name="trunks:twig_"..random(1,4), param2=direction})
-					if not minetest.setting_getbool("creative_mode") then
-						itemstack:take_item()
-					end
-					return itemstack
+
+			if not placer then return end
+			local playername = placer:get_player_name()
+			if minetest.is_protected(pt.above, playername) then 
+				minetest.record_protection_violation(pt.above, playername)
+				return
+			end
+
+			local direction = minetest.dir_to_facedir(placer:get_look_dir())
+			if minetest.get_node(pt.above).name=="air" then
+				minetest.swap_node(pt.above, {name="trunks:twig_"..math.random(1,4), param2=direction})
+				if not minetest.setting_getbool("creative_mode") then
+					itemstack:take_item()
 				end
 			end
 		end,