diff --git a/mods/HUD/hudbars/init.lua b/mods/HUD/hudbars/init.lua
index 7f86a959d..543692d51 100644
--- a/mods/HUD/hudbars/init.lua
+++ b/mods/HUD/hudbars/init.lua
@@ -330,9 +330,16 @@ function hb.change_hudbar(player, identifier, new_value, new_max_value, new_icon
 
 	local name = player:get_player_name()
 	local hudtable = hb.get_hudtable(identifier)
+
+	-- hb.change_hudbar may be called with a non-existing hudbar like hunger.
+	if hudtable == nil then
+		return false
+	end
+
 	if not hudtable.hudstate[name] then
 		return false
 	end
+
 	local value_changed, max_changed = false, false
 
 	if new_value then
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_potions/functions.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_potions/functions.lua
index a1c838814..b59749d2a 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_potions/functions.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_potions/functions.lua
@@ -1260,7 +1260,11 @@ local function potions_init_icons(player)
 		})
 		table.insert(icon_ids[name], id)
 	end
-	hb.init_hudbar(player, "absorption")
+
+	-- Absorption bar in damage disabled server is unneccessary
+	if minetest.settings:get_bool("enable_damage") == true then
+		hb.init_hudbar(player, "absorption")
+	end
 end
 
 local function potions_set_icons(player)