diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_chests/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_chests/init.lua
index 69f6a601d..7a0e54c69 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_chests/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_chests/init.lua
@@ -608,10 +608,12 @@ local function register_chest(basename, desc, longdesc, usagehelp, tt_help, tile
 
 		on_rightclick = function(pos, node, clicker)
 			local pos_other = mcl_util.get_double_container_neighbor_pos(pos, node.param2, "left")
-			if minetest.registered_nodes[minetest.get_node({x = pos.x, y = pos.y + 1, z = pos.z}).name].groups.opaque == 1
-				or minetest.registered_nodes[minetest.get_node({x = pos_other.x, y = pos_other.y + 1, z = pos_other.z}).name].groups.opaque == 1 then
-					-- won't open if there is no space from the top
-					return false
+			local above_def = minetest.registered_nodes[minetest.get_node({x = pos.x, y = pos.y + 1, z = pos.z}).name]
+			local above_def_other = minetest.registered_nodes[minetest.get_node({x = pos_other.x, y = pos_other.y + 1, z = pos_other.z}).name]
+
+			if not above_def or above_def.groups.opaque == 1 or not above_def_other or above_def_other.groups.opaque == 1 then
+				-- won't open if there is no space from the top
+				return false
 			end
 
 			local name = minetest.get_meta(pos):get_string("name")