diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/rover.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/rover.lua
index 5002c1475..68d13669d 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/rover.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/rover.lua
@@ -496,8 +496,8 @@ mcl_mobs.register_mob("mobs_mc:rover", {
 -- compat
 minetest.register_entity("mobs_mc:enderman", {
 	on_activate = function(self, staticdata, dtime)
-		minetest.add_entity(self.object:get_pos(), "mobs_mc:rover", staticdata)
-		self.object:set_properties({
+		local obj = minetest.add_entity(self.object:get_pos(), "mobs_mc:rover", staticdata)
+		obj:set_properties({
 			mesh = "vl_rover.b3d",
 			textures = { "vl_mobs_rover.png^vl_mobs_rover_face.png" },
 			visual_size = {x=10, y=10},