diff --git a/interface_mobs_api.lua b/interface_mobs_api.lua
index 7f93476..cd6465c 100644
--- a/interface_mobs_api.lua
+++ b/interface_mobs_api.lua
@@ -9,6 +9,14 @@ function yl_speak_up.init_mob_table()
     return false
 end
 
+-- this only makes sense if mobs_redo exists and is loaded
+if(not(minetest.get_modpath("mobs"))
+	or not(minetest.global_exists("mobs"))
+	or not(mobs.mob_class)) then
+   minetest.log("action","[MOD] yl_speak_up Info: mobs_redo mod not found. Not loading interface.")
+   return
+end
+
 
 -- React to right-clicking a mobs_redo mob:
 -- 	* capture the mob with a lasso or net (if appropriate)
@@ -103,6 +111,8 @@ function yl_speak_up.mobs_after_activate(self, staticdata, def, dtime)
 end
 
 
+-- we need to override this function from mobs_redo mod so that color
+-- changes to the name tag color are possible
 yl_speak_up.orig_mobs_update_tag = mobs.mob_class.update_tag
 -- update nametag and infotext
 mobs.mob_class.update_tag = function(self)