diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/physics.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/physics.lua
index 6e461c0c7..e5364c88a 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/physics.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/physics.lua
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ end
 
 function mob_class:player_in_active_range()
 	for _,p in pairs(minetest.get_connected_players()) do
-		if vector.distance(self.object:get_pos(),p:get_pos()) <= mob_active_range then return true end
+		local pos = self.object:get_pos()
+		if pos and vector.distance(pos, p:get_pos()) <= mob_active_range then return true end
 		-- slightly larger than the mc 32 since mobs spawn on that circle and easily stand still immediately right after spawning.
 	end
 end