diff --git a/mods/CORE/mcl_damage/init.lua b/mods/CORE/mcl_damage/init.lua
index df2ecd58d..8b2acbb35 100644
--- a/mods/CORE/mcl_damage/init.lua
+++ b/mods/CORE/mcl_damage/init.lua
@@ -149,16 +149,16 @@ minetest.register_on_player_hpchange(function(player, hp_change, mt_reason)
 end, true)
 
 minetest.register_on_player_hpchange(function(player, hp_change, mt_reason)
-	if hp_change < 0 then
-		mcl_damage.run_damage_callbacks(player, -hp_change, mcl_damage.from_mt(mt_reason))
-	end
 	if player:get_hp() > 0 then
-		mt_reason._mcl_approved = true
+		mt_reason.approved = true
+		if hp_change < 0 then
+			mcl_damage.run_damage_callbacks(player, -hp_change, mcl_damage.from_mt(mt_reason))
+		end
 	end
 end, false)
 
 minetest.register_on_dieplayer(function(player, mt_reason)
-	if mt_reason._mcl_approved then
+	if mt_reason.approved then
 		mcl_damage.run_death_callbacks(player, mcl_damage.from_mt(mt_reason))
 	end
 end)