diff --git a/plugins/mod_storage_xep0227.lua b/plugins/mod_storage_xep0227.lua
index 285428d6d..5c3cf7f6f 100644
--- a/plugins/mod_storage_xep0227.lua
+++ b/plugins/mod_storage_xep0227.lua
@@ -306,9 +306,7 @@ handlers.pep = {
 				return nil;
 			end
 			for node_el in pubsub_el:childtags("items") do
-				nodes[node_el.attr.node] = {
-					node = node_el.attr.node;
-				}
+				nodes[node_el.attr.node] = true; -- relies on COMPAT behavior in mod_pep
 			end
 			return nodes;
 		end