diff --git a/TODO.txt b/TODO.txt
index 946e503..d49535a 100644
--- a/TODO.txt
+++ b/TODO.txt
@@ -7,6 +7,5 @@ TODO:
 - add LBM when removing an item if it is a node
 - add "radius" option for pencil or "xlen", "ylen", & "zlen" options
 - add "xrotate" & "zrorate" modes for pencil
-- fix pencil "write" mode when pointing to side of node (node gets placed below)
 - don't require "server" priv for "find_unknown_nodes" & "find_neaby_nodes" commands
 - add chat command to find nodes with specified attributes
diff --git a/misc_functions.lua b/misc_functions.lua
index 9380d14..899b981 100644
--- a/misc_functions.lua
+++ b/misc_functions.lua
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ tool.on_use = function(stack, user, pointed_thing)
 			elseif mode == "write" then
 				local node_above = core.get_node_or_nil(pointed_thing.above)
 				if not node_above or node_above.name == "air" then
-					core.place_node(pointed_thing.above, {name=new_node_name})
+					core.set_node(pointed_thing.above, {name=new_node_name})
 					sound_handle = core.sound_play("cleaner_pencil_write", {object=user})
 				else
 					core.chat_send_player(pname, S("Can't place node there."))