diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_chests/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_chests/init.lua
index 0f1e44c10..91164c7b3 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_chests/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_chests/init.lua
@@ -1348,7 +1348,7 @@ local function select_and_spawn_entity(pos, node)
 	local node_name = node.name
 	local node_def = minetest.registered_nodes[node_name]
 	local double_chest = minetest.get_item_group(node_name, "double_chest") > 0
-	create_entity(pos, node_name, node_def._chest_entity_textures, node.param2, double_chest, node_def._chest_entity_sound, node_def._chest_entity_mesh, node_def._chest_entity_animation_type)
+	find_or_create_entity(pos, node_name, node_def._chest_entity_textures, node.param2, double_chest, node_def._chest_entity_sound, node_def._chest_entity_mesh, node_def._chest_entity_animation_type)
 end
 
 minetest.register_lbm({