diff --git a/source/build/src/defs.cpp b/source/build/src/defs.cpp
index 0ed7faeb5..99beccbb3 100644
--- a/source/build/src/defs.cpp
+++ b/source/build/src/defs.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include "gamecontrol.h"
 #include "palettecontainer.h"
 #include "mapinfo.h"
+#include "parsefuncs.h"
 
 int tileSetHightileReplacement(int picnum, int palnum, const char* filename, float alphacut, float xscale, float yscale, float specpower, float specfactor, uint8_t flags);
 int tileSetSkybox(int picnum, int palnum, const char** facenames, int flags);
@@ -655,15 +656,9 @@ static int32_t defsparser(scriptfile *script)
             break;
         }
         case T_ANIMTILERANGE:
-        {
-            SetAnim set;
-            if (scriptfile_getsymbol(script,&set.tile1)) break;
-            if (scriptfile_getsymbol(script,&set.tile2)) break;
-            if (scriptfile_getsymbol(script,&set.speed)) break;
-            if (scriptfile_getsymbol(script,&set.type)) break;
-            processSetAnim("animtilerange", pos, set);
+            parseAnimTileRange(*script, pos);
             break;
-        }
+
         case T_TILEFROMTEXTURE:
         {
             auto texturepos = scriptfile_getposition(script);
diff --git a/source/common/engine/sc_man.h b/source/common/engine/sc_man.h
index 6c37806a8..3a894fcb3 100644
--- a/source/common/engine/sc_man.h
+++ b/source/common/engine/sc_man.h
@@ -113,6 +113,13 @@ public:
 	void MustGetNumber(bool evaluate = false);
 	bool CheckNumber(bool evaluate = false);
 
+	bool GetNumber(int& var, bool evaluate = false)
+	{
+		if (!GetNumber(evaluate)) return false;
+		var = Number;
+		return true;
+	}
+
 	bool GetFloat(bool evaluate = false);
 	void MustGetFloat(bool evaluate = false);
 	bool CheckFloat(bool evaluate = false);
diff --git a/source/core/parsefuncs.h b/source/core/parsefuncs.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..05b3aa87b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/core/parsefuncs.h
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+
+/*
+** parsefuncs.h
+** handlers for .def parser
+** only to be included by the actual parser
+**
+**---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+** Copyright 2021 Christoph Oelckers
+** All rights reserved.
+**
+** Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+** modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+** are met:
+**
+** 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+**    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+** 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+**    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+**    documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+** 3. The name of the author may not be used to endorse or promote products
+**    derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
+**
+** THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+** IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+** OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
+** IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+** INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
+** NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+** DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+** THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+** (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
+** THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+**---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+**
+**
+*/
+
+
+void parseAnimTileRange(FScanner& sc, FScriptPosition& pos)
+{
+	SetAnim set;
+	if (!sc.GetNumber(set.tile1, true)) return;
+	if (!sc.GetNumber(set.tile2, true)) return;
+	if (!sc.GetNumber(set.speed, true)) return;
+	if (!sc.GetNumber(set.type, true)) return;
+	processSetAnim("animtilerange", pos, set);
+}
+