diff --git a/utils.lua b/utils.lua
index d8a6e7b..41080af 100644
--- a/utils.lua
+++ b/utils.lua
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 -- Credits: xeranas
 ---------------------------------------
 
-if hw_utils == nil then
+if not minetest.global_exists("hw_utils") then
 	hw_utils = {}
 end