diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
index c03d9d66e1..ef35bc5497 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
@@ -803,7 +803,12 @@ end
 local grass_spread_randomizer = PseudoRandom(minetest.get_mapgen_setting("seed"))
 
 function mcl_core.get_grass_palette_index(pos)
-	return mcl_util.get_registered_biome_from_pos(pos)._mcl_grass_palette_index
+	local reg_biome = mcl_util.get_registered_biome_from_pos(pos)
+	if reg_biome and reg_biome._mcl_grass_palette_index then
+		return reg_biome._mcl_grass_palette_index
+	else
+		return index
+	end
 end
 
 -- Return appropriate grass block node for pos
@@ -812,7 +817,12 @@ function mcl_core.get_grass_block_type(pos)
 end
 
 function mcl_core.get_foliage_palette_index(pos)
-	return mcl_util.get_registered_biome_from_pos(pos)._mcl_foliage_palette_index
+	local reg_biome = mcl_util.get_registered_biome_from_pos(pos)
+	if reg_biome and reg_biome._mcl_foliage_palette_index then
+		return reg_biome._mcl_foliage_palette_index
+	else
+		return index
+	end
 end
 
 -- Return appropriate foliage block node for pos