diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
index 16f4343b1..6f3a4f13c 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
@@ -1949,7 +1949,7 @@ local monster_attack = function(self)
 
 		-- find specific mob to attack, failing that attack player/npc/animal
 		if specific_attack(self.specific_attack, name)
-		and (type == "player" or type == "npc"
+		and (type == "player" or ( type == "npc" and self.attack_npcs )
 			or (type == "animal" and self.attack_animals == true)) then
 
 			p = player:get_pos()
@@ -4033,6 +4033,7 @@ minetest.register_entity(name, {
 	dogshoot_count_max = def.dogshoot_count_max or 5,
 	dogshoot_count2_max = def.dogshoot_count2_max or (def.dogshoot_count_max or 5),
 	attack_animals = def.attack_animals or false,
+	attack_npcs = def.attack_npcs or false,
 	specific_attack = def.specific_attack,
 	runaway_from = def.runaway_from,
 	owner_loyal = def.owner_loyal,
diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/villager_zombie.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/villager_zombie.lua
index cd0e89215..cbb4fa1d3 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/villager_zombie.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/villager_zombie.lua
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ mcl_mobs:register_mob("mobs_mc:villager_zombie", {
 	view_range = 16,
 	fear_height = 4,
 	harmed_by_heal = true,
+	attack_npcs = true,
 })
 
 mcl_mobs:spawn_specific(
diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/zombie.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/zombie.lua
index 4bb77e5f9..5ae7e922f 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/zombie.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/zombie.lua
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ local zombie = {
 		self.object:set_properties({visual_size = self.visual_size})
 		self.base_size = self.visual_size
 	end,
+	attack_npcs = true,
 }
 
 mcl_mobs:register_mob("mobs_mc:zombie", zombie)