diff --git a/mods/builtin_item/init.lua b/mods/builtin_item/init.lua
index 2a05eac..003ddf1 100644
--- a/mods/builtin_item/init.lua
+++ b/mods/builtin_item/init.lua
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ minetest.register_entity(":__builtin:item", {
 		end
 		
 		if minetest.registered_nodes[name].liquidtype == "flowing" then
-			get_flowing_dir = function(self)
+			local get_flowing_dir = function(self)
 				local pos = self.object:get_pos()
 				local param2 = minetest.get_node(pos).param2
 				for i,d in ipairs({-1, 1, -1, 1}) do