diff --git a/mods/sf_hud/init.lua b/mods/sf_hud/init.lua
index de39ffd..3f779da 100644
--- a/mods/sf_hud/init.lua
+++ b/mods/sf_hud/init.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
 sf_hud = {}
 
+-- Legacy support: Name of the HUD type field for 'hud_add'.
+local hud_type_field_name
+if minetest.features.hud_def_type_field then
+	-- Minetest 5.9.0 and later
+	hud_type_field_name = "type"
+else
+	-- All Minetest versions before 5.9.0
+	hud_type_field_name = "hud_elem_type"
+end
+
 -- experimental dirty/shadowy screen when damaged
 local USE_DAMAGE_SCREEN = false
 local EDITOR = minetest.settings:get_bool("sf_editor", false) or minetest.settings:get_bool("creative_mode", false)
@@ -82,7 +92,7 @@ sf_hud.show_damage_indicator = function(player, angle)
 	local base_texture = angles[min_diff_index].texture
 		
 	local hud_id = player:hud_add({
-		hud_elem_type = "compass",
+		[hud_type_field_name] = "compass",
 		size = { x = 256, y = 256 },
 		text = "("..base_texture..")^[multiply:"..DAMAGE_INDICATOR_COLOR..":100",
 		alignment = { x = 0, y = 0 },
@@ -162,7 +172,7 @@ local update_damage_screen = function(player, hp)
 	for d=1, damage do
 		if not damage_screens[pname][d] then
 			local hud_id = player:hud_add({
-				hud_elem_type = "image",
+				[hud_type_field_name] = "image",
 				position = damage_screen_positions[d],
 				scale = { x = -30, y = -30 },
 				text = "sf_player_damage_screen.png",
@@ -202,7 +212,7 @@ local update_hp_display = function(player, hp)
 	local hp_max = player:get_properties().hp_max
 	if not hp_indicators[pname] then
 		local hud_id = player:hud_add({
-			hud_elem_type = "statbar",
+			[hud_type_field_name] = "statbar",
 			position = { x=0,y=1},
 			text = "heart.png",
 			text2 = "heart_gone.png",
diff --git a/mods/sf_loot/init.lua b/mods/sf_loot/init.lua
index a2edcab..d214ecc 100644
--- a/mods/sf_loot/init.lua
+++ b/mods/sf_loot/init.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,16 @@
 local S = minetest.get_translator("sf_loot")
 local EDITOR = minetest.settings:get_bool("sf_editor", false) or minetest.settings:get_bool("creative_mode", false)
 
+-- Legacy support: Name of the HUD type field for 'hud_add'.
+local hud_type_field_name
+if minetest.features.hud_def_type_field then
+	-- Minetest 5.9.0 and later
+	hud_type_field_name = "type"
+else
+	-- All Minetest versions before 5.9.0
+	hud_type_field_name = "hud_elem_type"
+end
+
 -- CHEAT: If enabled, shows vases near you
 local vase_radar = false
 
@@ -86,7 +96,7 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 		for v=1, #vases do
 			local vnode = minetest.get_node(vases[v])
 			local id = players[p]:hud_add({
-				hud_elem_type = "waypoint",
+				[hud_type_field_name] = "waypoint",
 				name = S("Vase (@1)", vnode.param2),
 				precision = 1,
 				text = S("m"),
diff --git a/mods/sf_messages/init.lua b/mods/sf_messages/init.lua
index 1301e17..8883374 100644
--- a/mods/sf_messages/init.lua
+++ b/mods/sf_messages/init.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,16 @@ local BUBBLE_OFFSET_X_TOTAL = BUBBLE_OFFSET_X
 local SPEAKER_OFFSET_X_TOTAL = BUBBLE_OFFSET_X + SPEAKER_OFFSET_X
 local TEXT_OFFSET_X_TOTAL = BUBBLE_OFFSET_X + SPEAKER_OFFSET_X + TEXT_OFFSET_X
 
+-- Legacy support: Name of the HUD type field for 'hud_add'.
+local hud_type_field_name
+if minetest.features.hud_def_type_field then
+	-- Minetest 5.9.0 and later
+	hud_type_field_name = "type"
+else
+	-- All Minetest versions before 5.9.0
+	hud_type_field_name = "hud_elem_type"
+end
+
 -- HACK:
 -- Word-wrap a translatable string
 -- * player: player to wrap the text for
@@ -92,7 +102,7 @@ sf_messages.show_speech = function(to_player, text, icon, sound, duration)
 	end
 
 	local id_bg = to_player:hud_add({
-		hud_elem_type = "image",
+		[hud_type_field_name] = "image",
 		position = { x = 1, y = 0 },
 		scale = { x = -41, y = 10 },
 		text = "sf_messages_speech_bubble.png",
@@ -103,7 +113,7 @@ sf_messages.show_speech = function(to_player, text, icon, sound, duration)
 	local id_icon
 	if icon then
 		id_icon = to_player:hud_add({
-			hud_elem_type = "image",
+			[hud_type_field_name] = "image",
 			position = { x = 1, y = 0 },
 			scale = { x = 2, y = 2 },
 			text = "sf_messages_portrait_bg.png^("..icon..")",
@@ -124,7 +134,7 @@ sf_messages.show_speech = function(to_player, text, icon, sound, duration)
 	text = hacky_word_wrap(to_player, text, chars)
 
 	local id_text = to_player:hud_add({
-		hud_elem_type = "text",
+		[hud_type_field_name] = "text",
 		position = { x = 1, y = 0 },
 		scale = { x = 100, y = 100 },
 		text = text,
diff --git a/mods/sf_resources/init.lua b/mods/sf_resources/init.lua
index 85adf1f..8ca09ac 100644
--- a/mods/sf_resources/init.lua
+++ b/mods/sf_resources/init.lua
@@ -2,6 +2,16 @@ local S = minetest.get_translator("sf_resources")
 
 sf_resources = {}
 
+-- Legacy support: Name of the HUD type field for 'hud_add'.
+local hud_type_field_name
+if minetest.features.hud_def_type_field then
+	-- Minetest 5.9.0 and later
+	hud_type_field_name = "type"
+else
+	-- All Minetest versions before 5.9.0
+	hud_type_field_name = "hud_elem_type"
+end
+
 local GRAVITY = 9.81
 local LIFE_TIMER = 300
 local MAGNET_RANGE = 0.8
@@ -198,7 +208,7 @@ end
 local init_hud = function(player)
 	local pname = player:get_player_name()
 	local id_icon = player:hud_add({
-		hud_elem_type = "image",
+		[hud_type_field_name] = "image",
 		position = { x = 0, y = 1 },
 		scale = { x = 4, y = 4 },
 		text = "blank.png",
@@ -207,7 +217,7 @@ local init_hud = function(player)
 		z_index = 101,
 	})
 	local id_num = player:hud_add({
-		hud_elem_type = "text",
+		[hud_type_field_name] = "text",
 		position = { x = 0, y = 1 },
 		scale = { x = 100, y = 100 },
 		text = "",