diff --git a/mods/HELP/mcl_craftguide/init.lua b/mods/HELP/mcl_craftguide/init.lua
index 989f1a2b5..f75ab07f7 100644
--- a/mods/HELP/mcl_craftguide/init.lua
+++ b/mods/HELP/mcl_craftguide/init.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 mcl_craftguide = {}
 
+local awaiting_connection_player_names = {}
+
 local M = minetest
 local player_data = {}
 
@@ -1075,12 +1077,14 @@ if progressive_mode then
 		for i = 1, #players do
 			local player = players[i]
 			local name   = player:get_player_name()
-			local data   = player_data[name]
-			local inv_items = get_inv_items(player)
-			local diff      = table_diff(inv_items, data.inv_items)
+			if not awaiting_connection_player_names[name] then
+				local data   = player_data[name]
+				local inv_items = get_inv_items(player)
+				local diff      = table_diff(inv_items, data.inv_items)
 
-			if #diff > 0 then
-				data.inv_items = table_merge(diff, data.inv_items)
+				if #diff > 0 then
+					data.inv_items = table_merge(diff, data.inv_items)
+				end
 			end
 		end
 
@@ -1094,12 +1098,14 @@ if progressive_mode then
 	mcl_craftguide.add_recipe_filter("Default progressive filter", progressive_filter)
 
 	M.register_on_authplayer(function(name, ip, is_success)
-		if not is_success then return
-		init_data(name)
+		if not is_success then return end
+		awaiting_connection_player_names[name] = true
 	end)
 
 	M.register_on_joinplayer(function(player)
 		local name = player:get_player_name()
+		awaiting_connection_player_names[name] = nil
+		init_data(name)
 		local meta = player:get_meta()
 		local data = player_data[name]
 
@@ -1130,7 +1136,9 @@ if progressive_mode then
 		local players = M.get_connected_players()
 		for i = 1, #players do
 			local player = players[i]
-			save_meta(player)
+			if not awaiting_connection_player_names[player:get_player_name()] then
+				save_meta(player)
+			end
 		end
 	end)
 else
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_shields/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_shields/init.lua
index ef0e7ba43..04bb42db3 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_shields/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_shields/init.lua
@@ -24,6 +24,15 @@ interact_priv.give_to_admin = false
 local overlay = mcl_enchanting.overlay
 local hud = "mcl_shield_hud.png"
 
+local function is_player_for_real(obj)
+	if not obj then return end
+	if not obj:is_player() then return end
+	local name = obj:get_player_name()
+	if not name then return end
+	if possible_hackers[name] then return end
+	return true
+end
+
 minetest.register_tool("mcl_shields:shield", {
 	description = S("Shield"),
 	_doc_items_longdesc = S("A shield is a tool used for protecting the player against attacks."),
@@ -123,7 +132,7 @@ mcl_damage.register_modifier(function(obj, damage, reason)
 	local type = reason.type
 	local damager = reason.direct
 	local blocking, shieldstack = mcl_shields.is_blocking(obj)
-	if obj:is_player() and blocking and mcl_shields.types[type] and damager then
+	if is_player_for_real(obj) and blocking and mcl_shields.types[type] and damager then
 		local entity = damager:get_luaentity()
 		if entity and (type == "arrow" or type == "generic") then
 			damager = entity._shooter
diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_playerinfo/init.lua b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_playerinfo/init.lua
index 1ff5add71..6c714c78b 100644
--- a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_playerinfo/init.lua
+++ b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_playerinfo/init.lua
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 end)
 
 -- set to blank on join (for 3rd party mods)
-minetest.register_on_authlayer(function(name, ip, is_success)
+minetest.register_on_authplayer(function(name, ip, is_success)
 	if not is_success then return end
 	mcl_playerinfo[name] = {
 		node_head = "",