diff --git a/mods/bucket/init.lua b/mods/bucket/init.lua
index a60235d7..57f5b4d5 100644
--- a/mods/bucket/init.lua
+++ b/mods/bucket/init.lua
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ minetest.register_craft({
 })
 
 -- Register buckets as dungeon loot
-if dungeon_loot and dungeon_loot.register then
+if minetest.global_exists("dungeon_loot") and dungeon_loot.register then
 	dungeon_loot.register({
 		{name = "bucket:bucket_empty", chance = 0.55},
 		-- water in deserts/ice or above ground, lava otherwise
diff --git a/mods/bucket/mod.conf b/mods/bucket/mod.conf
index 8ff8c7bd..fef46873 100644
--- a/mods/bucket/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/bucket/mod.conf
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 name = bucket
 description = Minetest Game mod: bucket
-depends = default, dungeon_loot
+depends = default
+optional_depends = dungeon_loot
diff --git a/mods/carts/init.lua b/mods/carts/init.lua
index 4fb46229..ccd420a6 100644
--- a/mods/carts/init.lua
+++ b/mods/carts/init.lua
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ dofile(carts.modpath.."/rails.lua")
 dofile(carts.modpath.."/cart_entity.lua")
 
 -- Register rails as dungeon loot
-if dungeon_loot and dungeon_loot.register then
+if minetest.global_exists("dungeon_loot") and dungeon_loot.register then
 	dungeon_loot.register({
 		name = "carts:rail", chance = 0.35, count = {1, 6}
 	})
diff --git a/mods/carts/mod.conf b/mods/carts/mod.conf
index a2de0d08..0eab35c3 100644
--- a/mods/carts/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/carts/mod.conf
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 name = carts
 description = Carts (formerly boost_cart)
-depends = default, player_api, dungeon_loot
+depends = default, player_api
+optional_depends = dungeon_loot
diff --git a/mods/farming/init.lua b/mods/farming/init.lua
index 14588c49..1f547560 100644
--- a/mods/farming/init.lua
+++ b/mods/farming/init.lua
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ minetest.register_craft({
 })
 
 -- Register farming items as dungeon loot
-if dungeon_loot and dungeon_loot.register then
+if minetest.global_exists("dungeon_loot") and dungeon_loot.register then
 	dungeon_loot.register({
 		{name = "farming:string", chance = 0.5, count = {1, 8}},
 		{name = "farming:wheat", chance = 0.5, count = {2, 5}},
diff --git a/mods/farming/mod.conf b/mods/farming/mod.conf
index aa38c0df..9a76a6a7 100644
--- a/mods/farming/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/farming/mod.conf
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 name = farming
 description = Minetest Game mod: farming
-depends = default, wool, stairs, dungeon_loot
+depends = default, wool, stairs
+optional_depends = dungeon_loot
diff --git a/mods/vessels/init.lua b/mods/vessels/init.lua
index c375a0a6..331cbe69 100644
--- a/mods/vessels/init.lua
+++ b/mods/vessels/init.lua
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ minetest.register_craft({
 })
 
 -- Register glass fragments as dungeon loot
-if dungeon_loot and dungeon_loot.register then
+if minetest.global_exists("dungeon_loot") and dungeon_loot.register then
 	dungeon_loot.register({
 		name = "vessels:glass_fragments", chance = 0.35, count = {1, 4}
 	})
diff --git a/mods/vessels/mod.conf b/mods/vessels/mod.conf
index 97a4bf6e..eba9076f 100644
--- a/mods/vessels/mod.conf
+++ b/mods/vessels/mod.conf
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 name = vessels
 description = Minetest Game mod: vessels
-depends = default, dungeon_loot
+depends = default
+optional_depends = dungeon_loot