diff --git a/src/script/common/c_content.cpp b/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
index 147f6e3ed..a95cf94a1 100644
--- a/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
+++ b/src/script/common/c_content.cpp
@@ -491,13 +491,11 @@ TileDef read_tiledef(lua_State *L, int index, u8 drawtype)
 }
 
 /******************************************************************************/
-ContentFeatures read_content_features(lua_State *L, int index)
+void read_content_features(lua_State *L, ContentFeatures &f, int index)
 {
 	if(index < 0)
 		index = lua_gettop(L) + 1 + index;
 
-	ContentFeatures f;
-
 	/* Cache existence of some callbacks */
 	lua_getfield(L, index, "on_construct");
 	if(!lua_isnil(L, -1)) f.has_on_construct = true;
@@ -800,7 +798,6 @@ ContentFeatures read_content_features(lua_State *L, int index)
 	getstringfield(L, index, "node_dig_prediction",
 		f.node_dig_prediction);
 
-	return f;
 }
 
 void push_content_features(lua_State *L, const ContentFeatures &c)
diff --git a/src/script/common/c_content.h b/src/script/common/c_content.h
index 8f32e58eb..29d576355 100644
--- a/src/script/common/c_content.h
+++ b/src/script/common/c_content.h
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ struct collisionMoveResult;
 
 extern struct EnumString es_TileAnimationType[];
 
-ContentFeatures    read_content_features     (lua_State *L, int index);
+void               read_content_features     (lua_State *L, ContentFeatures &f,
+                                              int index);
 void               push_content_features     (lua_State *L,
                                               const ContentFeatures &c);
 
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_item.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_item.cpp
index 2d1124a4d..9e0da4034 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_item.cpp
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_item.cpp
@@ -570,7 +570,8 @@ int ModApiItemMod::l_register_item_raw(lua_State *L)
 
 	// Read the node definition (content features) and register it
 	if (def.type == ITEM_NODE) {
-		ContentFeatures f = read_content_features(L, table);
+		ContentFeatures f;
+		read_content_features(L, f, table);
 		// when a mod reregisters ignore, only texture changes and such should
 		// be done
 		if (f.name == "ignore")