diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 1bbbc47..c08fac5 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -447,8 +447,7 @@ end
 function airutils.sit(player)
     --set_animation(frame_range, frame_speed, frame_blend, frame_loop)
     player:set_animation({x =  81, y = 160},30, 0, true)
-
-    if emote then emote.start(player:get_player_name(), "sit") end
+    if minetest.get_modpath("emote") then emote.start(player:get_player_name(), "sit") end
 end
 
 local function get_norm_angle(angle)