diff --git a/areas.lua b/areas.lua
index 0c91c77..56af8ae 100644
--- a/areas.lua
+++ b/areas.lua
@@ -9,9 +9,16 @@ end
 -- protection check
 local old_is_protected = minetest.is_protected
 function minetest.is_protected(pos, name)
-	if areas.getSmallestAreaAtPos and areas.config.use_smallest_area_precedence then
+	local area_list
+	if areas.config.use_smallest_area_precedence then
 		local _, id = areas:getSmallestAreaAtPos(pos)
-		local xp_area = id and xp_areas[id]
+		area_list = id and { [id] = true } or {}
+	else
+		area_list = areas:getAreasAtPos(pos)
+	end
+	for id in pairs(area_list) do
+		local xp_area = xp_areas[id]
+
 		if xp_area then
 			local xp = xp_redo.get_xp(name)
 			if xp_area.min and xp < xp_area.min then
@@ -20,20 +27,6 @@ function minetest.is_protected(pos, name)
 				return true
 			end
 		end
-	else
-		local area_list = areas:getAreasAtPos(pos)
-		for id in pairs(area_list) do
-			local xp_area = xp_areas[id]
-
-			if xp_area then
-				local xp = xp_redo.get_xp(name)
-				if xp_area.min and xp < xp_area.min then
-					return true
-				elseif xp_area.max and xp > xp_area.max then
-					return true
-				end
-			end
-		end
 	end
 
 	return old_is_protected(pos, name)