diff --git a/builtin/item.lua b/builtin/item.lua
index 129a12cf8..d30b439aa 100644
--- a/builtin/item.lua
+++ b/builtin/item.lua
@@ -158,11 +158,6 @@ function minetest.item_place_node(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 		-- Add node and update
 		minetest.env:add_node(pos, newnode)
 
-		-- Set metadata owner
-		if def.metadata_name ~= "" then
-			minetest.env:get_meta(pos):set_owner(placer:get_player_name())
-		end
-
 		-- Run script hook
 		local _, callback
 		for _, callback in ipairs(minetest.registered_on_placenodes) do
@@ -319,7 +314,6 @@ minetest.nodedef_default = {
 	diggable = true,
 	climbable = false,
 	buildable_to = false,
-	metadata_name = "",
 	liquidtype = "none",
 	liquid_alternative_flowing = "",
 	liquid_alternative_source = "",
diff --git a/doc/lua_api.txt b/doc/lua_api.txt
index 734171d07..58c260425 100644
--- a/doc/lua_api.txt
+++ b/doc/lua_api.txt
@@ -1009,7 +1009,6 @@ Node definition (register_node)
     buildable_to = false,
     drop = "",
     -- alternatively drop = { max_items = ..., items = { ... } }
-    metadata_name = "",
     liquidtype = "none",
     liquid_alternative_flowing = "",
     liquid_alternative_source = "",
diff --git a/games/minimal/mods/default/init.lua b/games/minimal/mods/default/init.lua
index 516968f38..ed16e6a37 100644
--- a/games/minimal/mods/default/init.lua
+++ b/games/minimal/mods/default/init.lua
@@ -1112,6 +1112,12 @@ minetest.register_node("default:sign_wall", {
 	groups = {choppy=2,dig_immediate=2},
 	legacy_wallmounted = true,
 	sounds = default.node_sound_defaults(),
+	on_construct = function(pos)
+		--local n = minetest.env:get_node(pos)
+		local meta = minetest.env:get_meta(pos)
+		meta:set_string("formspec", "hack:sign_text_input")
+		meta:set_string("infotext", "\"${text}\"")
+	end,
 })
 
 minetest.register_node("default:chest", {