diff --git a/mods/HUD/vl_hudbars/init.lua b/mods/HUD/vl_hudbars/init.lua
index 5a1fd4c3a..9f88c37f1 100644
--- a/mods/HUD/vl_hudbars/init.lua
+++ b/mods/HUD/vl_hudbars/init.lua
@@ -4,26 +4,26 @@ local modpath = minetest.get_modpath(modname)
 vl_hudbars = {
 	hudbar_defs = {},
 	players = {},
-	settings = {},
+	settings = {
+		start_offset_left = {x = -16, y = -90},
+		start_offset_right = {x = 16, y = -90},
+		scale_x = 24,
+		hudbar_height_gap = 4,
+		bar_length = 20,
+		base_pos = {x=0.5, y=1},
+		max_rendered_layers = 100, -- per part, to prevent lag due to too many layers rendered. Only applies to absolute hudbars
+
+		-- Squish settings
+		min_layer_offset = 8, -- 'most squished possible' offset from layer below
+		max_unsquished_layers = 3, -- number of layers allowed before squishing kicks in
+		squish_duration = 12, -- number of layers to squish over before reaching max squish
+
+		forceload_default_hudbars = true,
+		autohide_breath = true,
+		tick = 0.1,
+	},
 }
 
-vl_hudbars.settings.start_offset_left = {x = -16, y = -90}
-vl_hudbars.settings.start_offset_right = {x = 16, y = -90}
-vl_hudbars.settings.scale_x = 24
-vl_hudbars.settings.hudbar_height_gap = 4
-vl_hudbars.settings.bar_length = 20
-vl_hudbars.settings.base_pos = {x=0.5, y=1}
-vl_hudbars.settings.max_rendered_layers = 100 -- per part, to prevent lag due to too many layers rendered. Only applies to absolute hudbars
-
--- Squish settings
-vl_hudbars.settings.min_layer_offset = 8 -- 'most squished possible' offset from layer below
-vl_hudbars.settings.max_unsquished_layers = 3 -- number of layers allowed before squishing kicks in
-vl_hudbars.settings.squish_duration = 12 -- number of layers to squish over before reaching max squish
-
-vl_hudbars.settings.forceload_default_hudbars = true
-vl_hudbars.settings.autohide_breath = true
-vl_hudbars.settings.tick = 0.1
-
 if minetest.get_modpath("mcl_experience") and not minetest.is_creative_enabled("") then
 	-- reserve some space for experience bar:
 	vl_hudbars.settings.start_offset_left.y = vl_hudbars.settings.start_offset_left.y - 20
@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ end
 local function get_squished_layer_gap(max_gap, texture_height_y, layers)
 	local min_gap = vl_hudbars.settings.min_layer_offset - texture_height_y
 	-- work out proportion to squish by
-	local squish_proportion = math.min(math.max((layers - vl_hudbars.settings.max_unsquished_layers)/vl_hudbars.settings.squish_duration, 0), 1)
+	local squish_proportion = (layers - vl_hudbars.settings.max_unsquished_layers)/vl_hudbars.settings.squish_duration
+	-- clamp between 0 and 1 so there is a maximum squish
+	squish_proportion = math.min(math.max(squish_proportion, 0), 1)
 	-- linear interpolate squishage
 	return max_gap - (max_gap - min_gap) * squish_proportion
 end