diff --git a/doc/lua_api.md b/doc/lua_api.md
index 27a9fef96..dde797325 100644
--- a/doc/lua_api.md
+++ b/doc/lua_api.md
@@ -6463,7 +6463,8 @@ Formspec
     * `playername`: name of player to show formspec
     * `formname`: name passed to `on_player_receive_fields` callbacks.
       It should follow the `"modname:<whatever>"` naming convention.
-      `formname` must not be empty.
+    * `formname` must not be empty, unless you want to reshow
+      the inventory formspec without updating it for future opens.
     * `formspec`: formspec to display
 * `minetest.close_formspec(playername, formname)`
     * `playername`: name of player to close formspec
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_server.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_server.cpp
index af9a526e0..69f5cf9a0 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_server.cpp
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_server.cpp
@@ -426,18 +426,8 @@ int ModApiServer::l_show_formspec(lua_State *L)
 	NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED;
 	const char *playername = luaL_checkstring(L, 1);
 	const char *formname = luaL_checkstring(L, 2);
-	if (*formname == '\0') {
-		log_deprecated(L, "Deprecated call to `minetest.show_formspec`:"
-				"`formname` must not be empty");
-	}
 	const char *formspec = luaL_checkstring(L, 3);
-
-	if(getServer(L)->showFormspec(playername,formspec,formname))
-	{
-		lua_pushboolean(L, true);
-	}else{
-		lua_pushboolean(L, false);
-	}
+	lua_pushboolean(L, getServer(L)->showFormspec(playername,formspec,formname));
 	return 1;
 }