diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/vl_pickblock/init.lua b/mods/PLAYER/vl_pickblock/init.lua
index 3f66f6a0c..5d14a806d 100644
--- a/mods/PLAYER/vl_pickblock/init.lua
+++ b/mods/PLAYER/vl_pickblock/init.lua
@@ -1,39 +1,46 @@
 local S = minetest.get_translator("vl_pickblock")
 
+local function pickblock(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
+	local node = minetest.get_node_or_nil(pointed_thing.under)
+	if not node then return end
+
+	local def = minetest.registered_nodes[node.name]
+	if not def then return end
+
+	local rnode
+	-- if this is an 'illegal' node and there's an explicit `_vl_pickblock` field, then return it
+	-- if the node isn't 'illegal', return it as-is
+	-- (and if it's 'illegal' and no `_vl_pickblock` is defined, well, bad luck)
+	local illegal = (def.groups.not_in_creative_inventory and def.groups.not_in_creative_inventory ~= 0)
+	if illegal then
+		if def._vl_pickblock then
+			rnode = def._vl_pickblock
+		end
+	else
+		rnode = node.name
+	end
+
+	local inv = placer:get_inventory()
+	for i=1,placer:hud_get_hotbar_itemcount() do
+		local stack = inv:get_stack("main", i)
+		if stack:get_name() == rnode then
+			local msg = S("@1 is on slot @2", stack:get_short_description(), minetest.colorize(mcl_colors.GOLD, i))
+			mcl_title.set(placer, "actionbar", {text = msg, stay = 30})
+			return
+		end
+	end
+
+	return rnode
+end
+
 minetest.override_item("", {
 	on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 		if minetest.is_creative_enabled(placer:get_player_name()) then
-			mcl_util.call_on_rightclick(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
-
-			local node = minetest.get_node_or_nil(pointed_thing.under)
-			if not node then return end
-
-			local def = minetest.registered_nodes[node.name]
-			if not def then return end
-
-			local rnode = {}
-			-- if this is an 'illegal' node and there's an explicit `_vl_pickblock` field, then return it
-			-- if the node isn't 'illegal', return it as-is
-			-- (and if it's 'illegal' and no `_vl_pickblock` is defined, well, bad luck)
-			if def.groups.not_in_creative_inventory and def.groups.not_in_creative_inventory ~= 0 then
-				if def._vl_pickblock then
-					rnode.name = def._vl_pickblock
-				end
+			if mcl_util.call_on_rightclick(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing) then
+				return
 			else
-				rnode = node
+				return pickblock(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 			end
-
-			local inv = placer:get_inventory()
-			for i=1,placer:hud_get_hotbar_itemcount() do
-				local stack = inv:get_stack("main", i)
-				if stack:get_name() == rnode.name then
-					local msg = S("@1 is on slot @2", stack:get_short_description(), i)
-					mcl_title.set(placer, "actionbar", {text = msg, stay = 30})
-					return
-				end
-			end
-
-			return rnode
 		end
 	end
 })
diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/vl_pickblock/mod.conf b/mods/PLAYER/vl_pickblock/mod.conf
index f0e93509a..efe5cd091 100644
--- a/mods/PLAYER/vl_pickblock/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/PLAYER/vl_pickblock/mod.conf
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 name = vl_pickblock
 description = Allows you to put the selected node in an empty slot of your hotbar when you're in creative mode.
-depeds = mcl_util, mcl_title
+depeds = mcl_util, mcl_colors, mcl_title