diff --git a/functions.lua b/functions.lua
index 742af2c..b268f01 100644
--- a/functions.lua
+++ b/functions.lua
@@ -1802,8 +1802,7 @@ yl_speak_up.input_inventory = function(player, formname, fields)
 	yl_speak_up.save_npc_inventory(n_id)
 	-- show the trade list?
 	if(fields.inventory_show_tradelist) then
-		minetest.show_formspec(pname, "yl_speak_up:trade_list",
-			yl_speak_up.get_fs_trade_list(player))
+		yl_speak_up.show_fs_trade_list(player)
 		return
 	end
 	-- ..and go back to the normal talk formspec
@@ -2255,8 +2254,7 @@ yl_speak_up.save_changes_and_switch_to_other_dialog = function(player, fields, t
 
 	-- the trade list is not really a dialog...
 	if(target_dialog == "trade_list") then
-		minetest.show_formspec(pname, "yl_speak_up:trade_list",
-			yl_speak_up.get_fs_trade_list(player))
+		yl_speak_up.show_fs_trade_list(player)
 		return
 	end
 	-- move on to the target dialog
@@ -2981,8 +2979,7 @@ yl_speak_up.input_talk = function(player, formname, fields)
 		        yl_speak_up.save_changes_and_switch_to_other_dialog(player, fields, "trade_list")
 			return
 		end
-		minetest.show_formspec(pname, "yl_speak_up:trade_list",
-			yl_speak_up.get_fs_trade_list(player))
+		yl_speak_up.show_fs_trade_list(player)
 		return
 	end
 
diff --git a/trade_list.lua b/trade_list.lua
index 02fd15e..07a98b5 100644
--- a/trade_list.lua
+++ b/trade_list.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,17 @@
 -- show a list of all trades
 
 
+-- provides an easier call for the trade list formspec
+yl_speak_up.show_fs_trade_list = function(player)
+        if(not(player)) then
+                return
+        end
+        minetest.show_formspec(player:get_player_name(),
+		"yl_speak_up:trade_list",
+		yl_speak_up.get_fs_trade_list(player))
+end
+
+
 -- the player is accessing the trade list
 yl_speak_up.input_trade_list = function(player, formname, fields)
         local pname = player:get_player_name()
diff --git a/trade_simple.lua b/trade_simple.lua
index f1936c5..447293d 100644
--- a/trade_simple.lua
+++ b/trade_simple.lua
@@ -53,8 +53,7 @@ yl_speak_up.input_do_trade_simple = function(player, formname, fields)
 
 	-- show the trade list
 	if(fields.back_to_trade_list) then
-		minetest.show_formspec(pname, "yl_speak_up:trade_list",
-			yl_speak_up.get_fs_trade_list(player))
+		yl_speak_up.show_fs_trade_list(player)
 		return
 	end
 
@@ -103,8 +102,7 @@ yl_speak_up.input_do_trade_simple = function(player, formname, fields)
 			yl_speak_up.trade[pname] = nil
 		end
 		-- go back showing the trade list (since we deleted this trade)
-		minetest.show_formspec(pname, "yl_speak_up:trade_list",
-			yl_speak_up.get_fs_trade_list(player))
+		yl_speak_up.show_fs_trade_list(player)
 		return
 	end
 
@@ -275,8 +273,7 @@ yl_speak_up.input_add_trade_simple = function(player, formname, fields)
 		-- return the items (setting up the trade was aborted)
 		yl_speak_up.add_trade_simple_return_items(player, trade_inv, pay, buy)
 		-- ..else go back to the edit options formspec
-		minetest.show_formspec(pname, "yl_speak_up:trade_list",
-			yl_speak_up.get_fs_trade_list(player))
+		yl_speak_up.show_fs_trade_list(player)
 		return
 	end
 	-- adding a new trade via the trade list?
@@ -408,8 +405,7 @@ yl_speak_up.input_add_trade_simple = function(player, formname, fields)
 		-- we are no longer trading
 		yl_speak_up.speak_to[pname].trade_id = nil
 		-- ..else go back to the edit options formspec
-		minetest.show_formspec(pname, "yl_speak_up:trade_list",
-			yl_speak_up.get_fs_trade_list(player))
+		yl_speak_up.show_fs_trade_list(player)
 	else
 		-- we are no longer trading
 		yl_speak_up.speak_to[pname].trade_id = nil