diff --git a/mods/ctf/ctf_map/ctf_map_core/meta_helpers.lua b/mods/ctf/ctf_map/ctf_map_core/meta_helpers.lua
index 34c344b..b5b9a50 100644
--- a/mods/ctf/ctf_map/ctf_map_core/meta_helpers.lua
+++ b/mods/ctf/ctf_map/ctf_map_core/meta_helpers.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+if not minetest.get_modpath("physics") then
+	error("Cannot find mod 'physics'!")
+end
+
 ----------
 -- TIME --
 ----------
diff --git a/mods/ctf/ctf_map/ctf_map_core/mod.conf b/mods/ctf/ctf_map/ctf_map_core/mod.conf
index 643630d..3f6139b 100644
--- a/mods/ctf/ctf_map/ctf_map_core/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/ctf/ctf_map/ctf_map_core/mod.conf
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 name = ctf_map_core
-depends = default, physics
-optional_depends = ctf, ctf_match, ctf_stats, ctf_treasure, stairs, wool, irc
+depends = default
+optional_depends = ctf, ctf_match, ctf_stats, ctf_treasure, stairs, wool, irc, physics