diff --git a/add_skins_and_capes.lua b/add_skins_and_capes.lua
index de96dc3..3c2f3fb 100644
--- a/add_skins_and_capes.lua
+++ b/add_skins_and_capes.lua
@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ end
 
 
 npc_talk.add_skins_from_skinsdb = function(mob_name_string)
+	if(not(yl_speak_up.mob_skins[mob_name_string])
+	  or(#yl_speak_up.mob_skins[mob_name_string] < 1)) then
+		yl_speak_up.mob_skins[mob_name_string] = {"character.png"}
+	end
 	-- read skins from skinsdb
 	if(not(minetest.get_modpath("skinsdb"))) then
 		return
diff --git a/example_npc.lua b/example_npc.lua
index 7a9a3c7..29d08d6 100644
--- a/example_npc.lua
+++ b/example_npc.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,17 @@
 
 npc_talk.register_example_npc = function()
+	local mesh = npc_talk.talking_npc_mesh
+	local textures = {npc_talk.talking_npc_texture}
+	if(minetest.get_modpath("skinsdb")) then
+		mesh = "skinsdb_3d_armor_character_5.b3d"
+		-- this mesh has a diffrent texture setup as well
+		textures = {{
+			"blank.png", -- cape?
+			"npc_talk_default_skin.png", -- 64x64 skin
+			"3d_armor_trans.png", -- shield?!
+			"3d_armor_trans.png", -- item right hand
+		}}
+	end
 	-- register the new mob
 	mobs:register_mob("npc_talk:npc", {
 		type = "npc",
@@ -16,15 +28,9 @@ npc_talk.register_example_npc = function()
 		collisionbox = {-0.3, 0.0, -0.3, 0.3, 1.7, 0.3},
 		visual = "mesh",
 		visual_size = {x = 1, y = 1},
-		-- TODO: mesh, textures
-		mesh = "skinsdb_3d_armor_character_5.b3d",
+		mesh = mesh,
 		drawtype = "front",
-		textures = {{
-			"blank.png", -- cape?
-			"yl_speak_up_main_default.png", -- 64x64 skin
-			"3d_armor_trans.png", -- shield?!
-			"3d_armor_trans.png", -- item right hand
-		}},
+		textures = textures,
 		makes_footstep_sound = true,
 		sounds = {},
 		walk_velocity = 2,