diff --git a/src/lua_baselib.c b/src/lua_baselib.c
index 446eaa164..5bd9bec8c 100644
--- a/src/lua_baselib.c
+++ b/src/lua_baselib.c
@@ -4374,7 +4374,9 @@ static int lib_kItemLitterActive(lua_State *L)
 
 static int lib_kItemListActive(lua_State *L)
 {
-	lua_pushboolean(L, K_ItemListActive());
+	// Use the y_inter version so that Lua scripters don't have to do a
+	// useless player headcount check.
+	lua_pushboolean(L, Y_ItemListActive());
 	return 1;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/y_inter.c b/src/y_inter.c
index c4b14c20b..760bbb134 100644
--- a/src/y_inter.c
+++ b/src/y_inter.c
@@ -91,19 +91,6 @@ typedef struct
 	boolean encore; // encore mode
 } y_data;
 
-static boolean Y_ItemListActive(void)
-{
-	UINT8 i = 0, nump = 0;
-	for (i = 0; i < MAXPLAYERS; i++)
-	{
-		if (!playeringame[i] || players[i].spectator)
-			continue;
-		nump++;
-	}
-
-	return ((itemlistactive) && (nump > 1));
-}
-
 static y_data data;
 
 // graphics
@@ -360,6 +347,19 @@ static void Y_CalculateMatchData(UINT8 rankingsmode, void (*comparison)(INT32))
 	}
 }
 
+boolean Y_ItemListActive(void)
+{
+	UINT8 i = 0, nump = 0;
+	for (i = 0; i < MAXPLAYERS; i++)
+	{
+		if (!playeringame[i] || players[i].spectator)
+			continue;
+		nump++;
+	}
+
+	return ((itemlistactive) && (nump > 1));
+}
+
 //
 // Y_ConsiderScreenBuffer
 //
diff --git a/src/y_inter.h b/src/y_inter.h
index f712b96db..ef689fa18 100644
--- a/src/y_inter.h
+++ b/src/y_inter.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 extern boolean usebuffer;
 
+boolean Y_ItemListActive(void);
 void Y_IntermissionDrawer(void);
 void Y_Ticker(void);