diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 557b31a..401663c 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -308,6 +308,20 @@ function boat.on_activate(self, staticdata, dtime_s)
 
 		self.object:set_properties({textures = data.textures})
 	end
+	self._sounds = { -- workaround for copy vs reference issue
+		engine = {
+			handle = nil,
+			gain = 0.1,
+			playing = false,
+			time_elapsed = 0,
+		},
+		engine_stop = {
+			handle = nil,
+			gain = 0.1,
+			playing = false,
+			time_elapsed = 0,
+		},
+	}
 end
 
 function boat.get_staticdata(self)
@@ -606,21 +620,6 @@ for b=1, #boat_ids do
 			end
 			local boat = minetest.add_entity(pos, "sum_airship:boat")
 			local texture = "sum_airship_texture_"..images[b].."_boat.png"
-			local luaent = boat:get_luaentity()
-			luaent._sounds = { -- workaround for copy vs reference issue
-				engine = {
-					handle = nil,
-					gain = 0.1,
-					playing = false,
-					time_elapsed = 0,
-				},
-				engine_stop = {
-					handle = nil,
-					gain = 0.1,
-					playing = false,
-					time_elapsed = 0,
-				},
-			}
 			boat:get_luaentity()._itemstring = itemstring
 			boat:set_properties({textures = { texture, texture, texture, texture, texture }})
 			boat:set_yaw(placer:get_look_horizontal())