diff --git a/builtin/client/util.lua b/builtin/client/util.lua
index e85727436..aea15e00f 100644
--- a/builtin/client/util.lua
+++ b/builtin/client/util.lua
@@ -54,3 +54,7 @@ end
 function core.close_formspec(formname)
 	return core.show_formspec(formname, "")
 end
+
+function core.get_nearby_objects(radius)
+	return core.get_objects_inside_radius(core.localplayer:get_pos(), radius)
+end
diff --git a/doc/client_lua_api.txt b/doc/client_lua_api.txt
index c7bbe1609..94d40fe2a 100644
--- a/doc/client_lua_api.txt
+++ b/doc/client_lua_api.txt
@@ -934,6 +934,8 @@ Call these functions only at load time!
 * `minetest.get_objects_inside_radius(pos, radius)`: returns a list of
   ClientObjectRefs.
     * `radius`: using an euclidean metric
+* `minetest.get_nearby_objects(radius)`
+    * alias for minetest.get_objects_inside_radius(minetest.localplayer:get_pos(), radius)
 * `minetest.disconnect()`
     * Disconnect from the server and exit to main menu.
     * Returns `false` if the client is already disconnecting otherwise returns `true`.