diff --git a/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/init.lua b/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/init.lua
index 0cb0712b5..ae861e623 100644
--- a/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/init.lua
+++ b/mods/MAPGEN/mcl_villages/init.lua
@@ -128,6 +128,12 @@ if minetest.is_creative_enabled("") then
 		-- build ssettlement
 		on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 			if not pointed_thing.under then return end
+			local name = placer:get_player_name()
+			local privs = minetest.get_player_privs(name)
+			if not privs.server then
+				minetest.chat_send_player(name, "Placement denied. You need the “server” privilege to place villages.")
+				return itemstack
+			end
 			local minp = vector.subtract(	pointed_thing.under, half_map_chunk_size)
 		        local maxp = vector.add(	pointed_thing.under, half_map_chunk_size)
 			build_a_settlement(minp, maxp, math.random(0,32767))