diff --git a/shooter.lua b/shooter.lua
index 432dab0..f4b574c 100644
--- a/shooter.lua
+++ b/shooter.lua
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ local timer = 0
 local shots = {}
 
 local function spawn_particles(p, v, d, texture)
-	if texture.type ~= "string" then
+	if type(texture) ~= "string" then
 		texture = SHOOTER_EXPLOSION_TEXTURE
 	end
 	local pos = vector.add(p, vector.multiply(v, {x=d, y=d, z=d}))
@@ -55,26 +55,25 @@ local function punch_node(pos, def)
 		return
 	end
 	local item = minetest.registered_items[node.name]
-	if not item.groups then
-		return
-	end
-	for k, v in pairs(def.groups) do
-		local level = item.groups[k] or 0
-		if level >= v then
-			minetest.remove_node(pos)
-			local sounds = item.sounds
-			if sounds then
-				local soundspec = sounds.dug
-				if soundspec then
-					soundspec.pos = pos
-					minetest.sound_play(soundspec.name, soundspec)
+	if item and item.groups then
+		for k, v in pairs(def.groups) do
+			local level = item.groups[k] or 0
+			if level >= v then
+				minetest.remove_node(pos)
+				local sounds = item.sounds
+				if sounds then
+					local soundspec = sounds.dug
+					if soundspec then
+						soundspec.pos = pos
+						minetest.sound_play(soundspec.name, soundspec)
+					end
 				end
+				local tiles = item.tiles
+				if tiles then
+					return tiles[1]
+				end
+				break
 			end
-			local tiles = item.tiles
-			if tiles then
-				return tiles[1]
-			end
-			break
 		end
 	end
 end