diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/ai.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/ai.lua
index af006d1cc..cdcffd81c 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/ai.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/ai.lua
@@ -821,9 +821,8 @@ function mobs.mob_step(self, dtime)
 		self.lifetimer = self.lifetimer - dtime
 		if self.lifetimer <= 0 then
 			self.lifetimer = self.lifetimer_reset
-			if not mobs.check_for_player_within_area(self, 64) then
-				--print("removing in MAIN LOGIC!")
-				self.object:remove()
+			if mobs.can_despawn(self) then
+				self.object:remove()				
 				return
 			end
 		end
diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/set_up.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/set_up.lua
index 65ba764f6..b9cf2f669 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/set_up.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/set_up.lua
@@ -5,16 +5,18 @@ local minetest_settings = minetest.settings
 -- CMI support check
 local use_cmi = minetest.global_exists("cmi")
 
+mobs.can_despawn = function(self)
+	return (not self.tamed and not self.bred and not self.nametag and
+	not mobs.check_for_player_within_area(self, 64));
+end
+
 -- get entity staticdata
 mobs.mob_staticdata = function(self)
 	--despawn mechanism
 	--don't despawned tamed or bred mobs
-	if not self.tamed and not self.bred then
-		if not mobs.check_for_player_within_area(self, 64) then
-			--print("removing SERIALIZED!")
-			self.object:remove()
-			return
-		end
+	if mobs.can_despawn(self) then
+		self.object:remove()		
+		return
 	end
 
 	self.remove_ok = true