diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_hunger/init.lua b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_hunger/init.lua
index a039169e3..ff625a5f7 100644
--- a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_hunger/init.lua
+++ b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_hunger/init.lua
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 		local player_health = player:get_hp()
 		local max_tick_timer = tonumber(minetest.settings:get("mcl_health_regen_delay")) or 0.5
 
-		if food_tick_timer > max_tick_timer then
+		if food_tick_timer > 4 then
 			food_tick_timer = 0
 
 			-- let hunger work always