diff --git a/mods/ENVIRONMENT/mcl_moon/init.lua b/mods/ENVIRONMENT/mcl_moon/init.lua
index df792651d1..4ee2623a6b 100644
--- a/mods/ENVIRONMENT/mcl_moon/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ENVIRONMENT/mcl_moon/init.lua
@@ -3,16 +3,26 @@ local MOON_PHASES_HALF = MOON_PHASES / 2
 local SHEET_W = 4
 local SHEET_H = 2
 
+-- Randomize initial moon phase, based on map seed
+local phase_offset
+local mg_seed = minetest.get_mapgen_setting("seed")
+local rand = PseudoRandom(mg_seed)
+local phase_offset = rand:next(0, MOON_PHASES - 1)
+rand = nil
+
+minetest.log("info", "[mcl_moon] Moon phase offset of this world: "..phase_offset)
+
 mcl_moon = {}
 mcl_moon.MOON_PHASES = MOON_PHASES
 
 mcl_moon.get_moon_phase = function()
 	local after_midday = 0
+	-- Moon phase changes after midday
 	local tod = minetest.get_timeofday()
 	if tod > 0.5 then
 		after_midday = 1
 	end
-	return (minetest.get_day_count() + after_midday) % MOON_PHASES
+	return (minetest.get_day_count() + phase_offset + after_midday) % MOON_PHASES
 end
 
 local get_moon_texture = function()
@@ -31,7 +41,7 @@ local timer = 0
 local last_reported_phase = nil
 minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 	timer = timer + dtime
-	if timer < 5 then
+	if timer < 8 then
 		return
 	end
 	timer = 0