diff --git a/mods/default/init.lua b/mods/default/init.lua
index c603ebe8e1..878c5261f0 100644
--- a/mods/default/init.lua
+++ b/mods/default/init.lua
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ default.get_translator = S
 -- and avoids obscure, hard to debug runtime errors.
 -- This section should be updated before release and older checks can be dropped
 -- when newer ones are introduced.
-if not minetest.features.node_interaction_actor then
+if ItemStack("").add_wear_by_uses == nil then
 	error("\nThis version of Minetest Game is incompatible with your engine version "..
 		"(which is too old). You should download a version of Minetest Game that "..
 		"matches the installed engine version.\n")