diff --git a/build_chest_handle_replacements.lua b/build_chest_handle_replacements.lua
index 099a8da..7657184 100644
--- a/build_chest_handle_replacements.lua
+++ b/build_chest_handle_replacements.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ build_chest.replacements_get_current = function( meta, village_id )
 
 	-- villages have their own replacement list for the entire village
 	if( village_id~=""
+            and mg_villages
 	    and mg_villages.all_villages
             and mg_villages.all_villages[ village_id ]
             and mg_villages.all_villages[ village_id ].to_add_data
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ build_chest.replacements_set_current = function( meta, village_id, replacements
 
 	-- villages have their own replacement list for the entire village
 	if( village_id~=""
+            and mg_villages
 	    and mg_villages.all_villages
             and mg_villages.all_villages[ village_id ]
             and mg_villages.all_villages[ village_id ].to_add_data