diff --git a/builtin/item.lua b/builtin/item.lua
index 08b8d1c58..e19fd559a 100644
--- a/builtin/item.lua
+++ b/builtin/item.lua
@@ -152,7 +152,8 @@ function minetest.item_place_node(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 
 		minetest.log("action", placer:get_player_name() .. " places node "
 			.. def.name .. " at " .. minetest.pos_to_string(place_to))
-
+		
+		local oldnode = minetest.env:get_node(place_to)
 		local newnode = {name = def.name, param1 = 0, param2 = 0}
 
 		-- Calculate direction for wall mounted stuff like torches and signs
@@ -188,7 +189,7 @@ function minetest.item_place_node(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 		-- Run script hook (deprecated)
 		local _, callback
 		for _, callback in ipairs(minetest.registered_on_placenodes) do
-			callback(place_to, newnode, placer)
+			callback(place_to, newnode, placer, oldnode)
 		end
 
 		itemstack:take_item()
diff --git a/doc/lua_api.txt b/doc/lua_api.txt
index d0af5b4db..176745a2d 100644
--- a/doc/lua_api.txt
+++ b/doc/lua_api.txt
@@ -774,11 +774,11 @@ minetest.register_craft(recipe)
 Global callback registration functions: (Call these only at load time)
 minetest.register_globalstep(func(dtime))
 ^ Called every server step, usually interval of 0.05s
-minetest.register_on_placenode(func(pos, newnode, placer))
+minetest.register_on_placenode(func(pos, newnode, placer, oldnode))
 ^ Called when a node has been placed
 ^ Deprecated: Use on_construct or after_place_node in node definition instead
 minetest.register_on_dignode(func(pos, oldnode, digger))
-^ Called when a node has been dug. digger can be nil.
+^ Called when a node has been dug.
 ^ Deprecated: Use on_destruct or after_dig_node in node definition instead
 minetest.register_on_punchnode(func(pos, node, puncher))
 ^ Called when a node is punched