diff --git a/builtin/game/falling.lua b/builtin/game/falling.lua
index 8b88b68d8..4696ce481 100644
--- a/builtin/game/falling.lua
+++ b/builtin/game/falling.lua
@@ -113,7 +113,9 @@ core.register_entity(":__builtin:falling_node", {
 
 local function spawn_falling_node(p, node)
 	local obj = core.add_entity(p, "__builtin:falling_node")
-	obj:get_luaentity():set_node(node)
+	if obj then
+		obj:get_luaentity():set_node(node)
+	end
 end
 
 local function drop_attached_node(p)