diff --git a/mod_areas.lua b/mod_areas.lua
index 8e5ec46..7dee4d4 100644
--- a/mod_areas.lua
+++ b/mod_areas.lua
@@ -21,15 +21,16 @@ if minetest.get_modpath("areas") then
 	areas:registerOnRemove(function(id)
 		local area = areas.areas[id]
 		local area_id = "a"..tostring(id)
+		creative_regions.set_region_privs(area_id, nil)
+		creative_regions.save_regions()
 		local protectors_in_area = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(area.pos1, area.pos2, {"creative_regions:protector_nofly", "creative_regions:protector_arena"})
-		for pos in ipairs(protectors_in_area) do
+		for _, pos in ipairs(protectors_in_area) do
 			local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
 			local stored_id = meta:get_string("area_id")
 			local privstring = meta:get_string("privstring")
 			local owner = meta:get_string("owner")
-			creative_regions.set_region_privs(area_id, nil)
-			creative_regions.save_regions()
-			if stored_id == area_id and privstring == creative_regions.region_privs[tostring(area_id)] then
+
+			if stored_id == area_id then
 				minetest.remove_node(pos)
 				minetest.chat_send_player(owner, "[creative_regions] "..description.." removed for removed area " .. area_id)
 			end