diff --git a/api.lua b/api.lua
index 258e375..766867c 100644
--- a/api.lua
+++ b/api.lua
@@ -77,7 +77,8 @@ xpfw.player_sub_attribute=function(player,attrib,val)
 -- if <val> = nil then set to max value
 	local nval=val
 	local playername=player:get_player_name()
-	local att_def=M.player[playername].attributes[attrib]
+	local att_def=xpfw.attributes[attrib]
+	if att_def == nil then return end
 	if val==nil then
 		nval=att_def.max or 20
 	end