diff --git a/mods/default/functions.lua b/mods/default/functions.lua
index eeac0c2a..bf3749a8 100644
--- a/mods/default/functions.lua
+++ b/mods/default/functions.lua
@@ -562,7 +562,12 @@ function default.can_interact_with_node(player, pos)
 		local key_meta = item:get_meta()
 
 		if key_meta:get_string("secret") == "" then
-			key_meta:set_string("secret", minetest.parse_json(item:get_metadata()).secret)
+			local key_oldmeta = item:get_metadata()
+			if key_oldmeta == "" or not minetest.parse_json(key_oldmeta) then
+				return false
+			end
+
+			key_meta:set_string("secret", minetest.parse_json(key_oldmeta).secret)
 			item:set_metadata("")
 		end