diff --git a/mods/skills/init.lua b/mods/skills/init.lua
index 216cda4..381d556 100755
--- a/mods/skills/init.lua
+++ b/mods/skills/init.lua
@@ -45,15 +45,17 @@ function skills.set_default_skills ( name )
 end 
 
 function skills.get_skill(name, skill_id)
-	-- Return skill.
+	-- Existing skill
 	local playerSkills = skills.player_skills[name]
-	if playerSkills ~= nil then
-		return playerSkills[skill_id]
+	local skill = playerSkills and playerSkills[skill_id]
+	if skill ~= nil then
+		return skill
 	end
 
-	-- Return skill for new players.
+	-- Missing player or skill
+	minetest.log("info", "Requesting skill (id="..tostring(skill_id)..") for player '"..name.."'. Player is new or missing the skill.")
 	skills.set_default_skills(name)
-	return skills.get_skill(name, skill_id)
+	return skills.player_skills[name][skill_id]
 end
 
 function skills.get_player_level(name)