diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_portals/portal_nether.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_portals/portal_nether.lua
index 7e23a9f7..50258b40 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_portals/portal_nether.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_portals/portal_nether.lua
@@ -76,8 +76,11 @@ local function destroy_nether_portal(pos)
 	local check_remove = function(pos, orientation)
 		local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
 		if node and (node.name == "mcl_portals:portal" and (orientation == nil or (node.param2 == orientation))) then
-			minetest.log("action", "[mcl_portal] Destroying Nether portal at " .. minetest.pos_to_string(pos))
-			return minetest.remove_node(pos)
+			local timer = minetest.get_node_timer(pos)
+			if not timer:is_started() then
+				minetest.log("action", "[mcl_portal] Queuing Nether portal for destruction at " .. minetest.pos_to_string(pos))
+				timer:start(0.05)
+			end
 		end
 	end
 	if obsidian then -- check each of 6 sides of it and destroy every portal:
@@ -154,6 +157,10 @@ minetest.register_node("mcl_portals:portal", {
 	},
 	groups = {portal=1, not_in_creative_inventory = 1},
 	on_destruct = destroy_nether_portal,
+	on_timer = function(pos, elapsed)
+		minetest.remove_node(pos)
+		return false
+	end,
 
 	_mcl_hardness = -1,
 	_mcl_blast_resistance = 0,