diff --git a/hoe.lua b/hoe.lua
index cd49cd6..cc69501 100644
--- a/hoe.lua
+++ b/hoe.lua
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ local function add_hoe(material)
 	minetest.override_item(name, {
 		-- we also want hoes to increase dugnodes when farming soil
 		on_use = function(itemstack, user, pointed_thing, uses)
+			-- if no node is pointed, the hoe cannot be used
+			if pointed_thing.under == nil then
+				return nil
+			end
 			local under = minetest.get_node(pointed_thing.under)
 			-- get origin wear
 			local wear = itemstack:get_wear()
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 375135f..037084d 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ local MP = minetest.get_modpath("toolranks_extras")
 toolranks_extras = {}
 
 -- mod information
-toolranks_extras.mod = {version = "1.4.1", author = "Louis Royer"}
+toolranks_extras.mod = {version = "1.4.2", author = "Louis Royer"}
 
 -- settings
 toolranks_extras.settings = {