diff --git a/mods/default/functions.lua b/mods/default/functions.lua
index 1081af3a8e..d40146b9f6 100644
--- a/mods/default/functions.lua
+++ b/mods/default/functions.lua
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 			end
 			-- Remove node
 			minetest.remove_node(p0)
-			nodeupdate(p0)
+			core.check_for_falling(p0)
 		end
 	end
 })
diff --git a/mods/default/nodes.lua b/mods/default/nodes.lua
index 5ef46c9532..76a3a47af4 100644
--- a/mods/default/nodes.lua
+++ b/mods/default/nodes.lua
@@ -1112,7 +1112,7 @@ minetest.register_node("default:vine", {
 			local node = minetest.get_node(pos2)
 			if node.name == "default:vine" and check_attached_node(pos2, node) == false then
 				drop_attached_node(pos2)
-				nodeupdate(pos2)
+				core.check_for_falling(pos2)
 				ptr = ptr + 1
 			else
 				next_find = false
diff --git a/mods/fire/init.lua b/mods/fire/init.lua
index dd3026d164..3c1f8a7f10 100644
--- a/mods/fire/init.lua
+++ b/mods/fire/init.lua
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 					return
 				end
 				minetest.remove_node(p)
-				nodeupdate(p)
+				core.check_for_falling(p)
 			end
 		else
 			-- remove flame
diff --git a/mods/mcl_tnt/init.lua b/mods/mcl_tnt/init.lua
index 75f32774fe..2b78240236 100644
--- a/mods/mcl_tnt/init.lua
+++ b/mods/mcl_tnt/init.lua
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ tnt = {}
 tnt.ignite = function(pos)
 	minetest.remove_node(pos)
 	spawn_tnt(pos, "mcl_tnt:tnt")
-	nodeupdate(pos)
+	core.check_for_falling(pos)
 end
 
 
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ function TNT:on_step(dtime)
 						if n.name ~= "air" and n.name ~= "default:obsidian" and n.name ~= "default:bedrock" and n.name ~= "protector:protect" then
 							activate_if_tnt(n.name, np, pos, 3)
 							minetest.remove_node(np)
-							nodeupdate(np)
+							core.check_for_falling(np)
 							if n.name ~= "mcl_tnt:tnt" and math.random() > 0.9 then
 								local drop = minetest.get_node_drops(n.name, "")
 									for _,item in ipairs(drop) do
diff --git a/mods/redstone/mesecons_mvps/init.lua b/mods/redstone/mesecons_mvps/init.lua
index 5982d7dc3e..a416039c11 100644
--- a/mods/redstone/mesecons_mvps/init.lua
+++ b/mods/redstone/mesecons_mvps/init.lua
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ end
 function mesecon:mvps_process_stack(stack)
 	-- update mesecons for placed nodes ( has to be done after all nodes have been added )
 	for _, n in ipairs(stack) do
-		nodeupdate(n.pos)
+		core.check_for_falling(n.pos)
 		mesecon.on_placenode(n.pos, minetest.get_node(n.pos))
 		mesecon:update_autoconnect(n.pos)
 	end
@@ -92,8 +92,8 @@ function mesecon:mvps_pull_single(pos, dir) -- pos: pos of mvps; direction: dire
 		minetest.add_node(pos, nn)
 		minetest.get_meta(pos):from_table(meta)
 
-		nodeupdate(np)
-		nodeupdate(pos)
+		core.check_for_falling(np)
+		core.check_for_falling(pos)
 		mesecon.on_dignode(np, nn)
 		mesecon:update_autoconnect(np)
 	end
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ function mesecon:mvps_pull_all(pos, direction) -- pos: pos of mvps; direction: d
 		repeat
 			lnode2 = minetest.get_node(lpos2)
 			minetest.add_node(oldpos, {name=lnode2.name})
-			nodeupdate(oldpos)
+			core.check_for_falling(oldpos)
 			oldpos = {x=lpos2.x, y=lpos2.y, z=lpos2.z}
 			lpos2.x = lpos2.x-direction.x
 			lpos2.y = lpos2.y-direction.y
diff --git a/mods/redstone/mesecons_pistons/init.lua b/mods/redstone/mesecons_pistons/init.lua
index 4a28546ab7..072c1a499f 100644
--- a/mods/redstone/mesecons_pistons/init.lua
+++ b/mods/redstone/mesecons_pistons/init.lua
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ local piston_remove_pusher = function (pos, node)
 
 	if pushername == pistonspec.pusher then --make sure there actually is a pusher (for compatibility reasons mainly)
 		minetest.remove_node(pusherpos)
-		nodeupdate(pusherpos)
+		core.check_for_falling(pusherpos)
 	end
 end