diff --git a/mods/HUD/mcl_death_messages/init.lua b/mods/HUD/mcl_death_messages/init.lua
index 82749ca94..b50777cc5 100644
--- a/mods/HUD/mcl_death_messages/init.lua
+++ b/mods/HUD/mcl_death_messages/init.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 local S = minetest.get_translator(minetest.get_current_modname())
 
 local ASSIST_TIMEOUT_SEC = 5
+local gamerule_showDeathMessages = vl_tuning.setting("gamerule:showDeathMessages", "bool", {
+	description = S("Whether death messages are put into chat when a player dies. Also affects whether a message is sent to the pet's owner when the pet dies."),
+	default = minetest.settings:get_bool("mcl_showDeathMessages", true),
+})
 
 mcl_death_messages = {
 	assist = {},
@@ -204,9 +208,7 @@ local function fallback_translator(s)
 end
 
 mcl_damage.register_on_death(function(obj, reason)
-	if not minetest.settings:get_bool("mcl_showDeathMessages", true) then
-		return
-	end
+	if not gamerule_showDeathMessages[1] then return end
 
 	local send_to
 
diff --git a/mods/HUD/mcl_death_messages/mod.conf b/mods/HUD/mcl_death_messages/mod.conf
index 5497e9473..7d3bae5e0 100644
--- a/mods/HUD/mcl_death_messages/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/HUD/mcl_death_messages/mod.conf
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 name = mcl_death_messages
 author = 4Evergreen4
 description = Shows messages in chat when a player dies.
-depends = mcl_colors, mcl_damage
+depends = mcl_colors, mcl_damage, vl_tuning