diff --git a/.luacheckrc b/.luacheckrc
index 61e38ae..885af58 100644
--- a/.luacheckrc
+++ b/.luacheckrc
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ unused_args = false
 globals = {
 	"minetest",
 	"pandorabox",
+	"default",
 	"travelnet",
 	"sethome",
 	"jumpdrive",
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ read_globals = {
 	"dump", "screwdriver",
 
 	-- Deps
-	"default", "advtrains",
+	"advtrains",
 	"letters", "player_monoids",
 	"pipeworks", "planetoidgen",
 	"xban"
diff --git a/hacks.lua b/hacks.lua
index 79cd2ee..b05c227 100644
--- a/hacks.lua
+++ b/hacks.lua
@@ -37,3 +37,17 @@ if minetest.get_modpath("digistuff") and minetest.registered_nodes["digistuff:ni
 		}
 	})
 end
+
+-- prevent big towers of papyrus and bamboo from being auto-dug
+-- https://github.com/pandorabox-io/pandorabox.io/issues/611
+function default.dig_up(pos, node, digger)
+	if digger == nil then return end
+	local np = {x = pos.x, y = pos.y + 1, z = pos.z}
+	local nn = minetest.get_node(np)
+	if nn.name == node.name then
+		local dp = digger:get_pos()
+		if (np.y - dp.y) <= 10 then
+			minetest.node_dig(np, nn, digger)
+		end
+	end
+end