diff --git a/functions.lua b/functions.lua
index 02dc9b5..7d96ea2 100644
--- a/functions.lua
+++ b/functions.lua
@@ -491,7 +491,8 @@ yl_speak_up.may_edit_npc = function(player, n_id)
 	  and minetest.check_player_privs(player, {npc_talk_owner=true}))
 	  or minetest.check_player_privs(player, {npc_talk_master=true})
 	  or minetest.check_player_privs(player, {npc_master=true})
-	  or yl_speak_up.speak_to[pname].may_edit_this_npc)
+	  or (yl_speak_up.speak_to[pname]
+	  and yl_speak_up.speak_to[pname].may_edit_this_npc))
 end