diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_sponges/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_sponges/init.lua
index 9c339977eb..15cb55bd9c 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_sponges/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_sponges/init.lua
@@ -67,16 +67,17 @@ function mcl_sponges.absorb(pos)
 	-- to determine the wet sponge type.
 	local river_water = 0
 	local non_river_water = 0
+	local out = {}
 	local p, n
 	for i=-3,3 do
 		for j=-3,3 do
 			for k=-3,3 do
-				p = {x=pos.x+i, y=pos.y+j, z=pos.z+k}
-				n = minetest.get_node(p)
-				if minetest.get_item_group(n.name, "water") ~= 0 then
-					minetest.add_node(p, {name="air"})
+				pos = {x=pos.x+i, y=pos.y+j, z=pos.z+k}
+				node = minetest.get_node(pos)
+				if minetest.get_item_group(node.name, "water") ~= 0 then
+					minetest.add_node(pos, {name="air"})
 					change = true
-					if n.name == "mclx_core:river_water_source" or n.name == "mclx_core:river_water_flowing" then
+					if node.name == "mclx_core:river_water_source" or node.name == "mclx_core:river_water_flowing" then
 						river_water = river_water + 1
 					else
 						non_river_water = non_river_water + 1