diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
index 11c606bbc2..719939b530 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
@@ -112,9 +112,10 @@ local liquid_flow_action = function(pos, group, action)
 		* 1: Item must be in liquid group
 		* 2a: If target node is below liquid, always succeed
 		* 2b: If target node is horizontal to liquid: succeed if source, otherwise check param2 for horizontal flow direction ]]
+		local range = d.liquid_range or 8
 		if (minetest.get_item_group(n.name, group) ~= 0) and
 				((yp > 0) or
-				(yp == 0 and ((d.liquidtype == "source") or (n.param2 > (8-d.liquid_range) and n.param2 < 9)))) then
+				(yp == 0 and ((d.liquidtype == "source") or (n.param2 > (8-range) and n.param2 < 9)))) then
 			action(pos)
 		end
 	end