diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 0f1e498..09ce1d6 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -20,6 +20,17 @@ if not get_animation then
 	error("player_api.get_animation or default.player_get_animation is not found")
 end
 
+-- stop player_api from messing stuff up (since 5.3)
+if minetest.global_exists("player_api") then
+	for _, v in pairs(player_api.registered_models["character.b3d"].animations) do
+		v.x = 0
+		v.y = 0
+	end
+	minetest.register_on_joinplayer(function(player)
+		player:set_local_animation(nil, nil, nil, nil, 0)
+	end)
+end
+
 local function get_animation_speed(player)
 	if player:get_player_control().sneak then
 		return ANIMATION_SPEED_SNEAK