diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
index 6c1a0567e..b284d8102 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
@@ -1029,6 +1029,14 @@ local node_ok = function(pos, fallback)
 	return minetest.registered_nodes[fallback]
 end
 
+local function get_light(pos)
+	if math.abs(pos.x) < 31000 and math.abs(pos.y) < 31000 and math.abs(pos.z) < 31000 then
+		local lightfunc = minetest.get_natural_light or minetest.get_node_light
+		return lightfunc(pos)
+	else
+		return 0
+	end
+end
 
 -- environmental damage (water, lava, fire, light etc.)
 local do_env_damage = function(self)
@@ -1074,7 +1082,6 @@ local do_env_damage = function(self)
 
 	-- Use get_node_light for Minetest version 5.3 where get_natural_light
 	-- does not exist yet.
-	local get_light = minetest.get_natural_light or minetest.get_node_light
 	local sunlight = get_light(pos, self.time_of_day)
 
 	-- bright light harms mob