diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_bows/arrow.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_bows/arrow.lua
index eb46dd089..10c88a4ff 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_bows/arrow.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_bows/arrow.lua
@@ -297,9 +297,7 @@ local arrow_entity = {
 		end
 
 		local pos = self.object:get_pos()
-		if not self._startpos or pos and vector.distance(self._startpos, pos) > 1.5 then
-			self._allow_punch = true
-		end
+		self._allow_punch = self._allow_punch or not self._startpos or pos and vector.distance(self._startpos, pos) > 1.5
 
 		if self._stuck then
 			return stuck_arrow_on_step(self, dtime)