diff --git a/builtin/misc.lua b/builtin/misc.lua
index 1d5e146c6..f91f5e095 100644
--- a/builtin/misc.lua
+++ b/builtin/misc.lua
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 end)
 
 function minetest.after(time, func, ...)
+	assert(tonumber(time) and type(func) == "function",
+			"Invalid minetest.after invocation")
 	table.insert(minetest.timers_to_add, {time=time, func=func, args={...}})
 end