$data array not available

I defined the following custom token:

Type: custom
Content (PHP filter):

   $lr_node = menu_get_object( );//$data['node'];
   return substr( $lr_node->field_from_to['und'][0]['value'],0,10 );

The "field_from_to" is a date field that I defined for my event nodes.

When I create a new event node, the $data array is not available for pathauto (7.x-1.2). I also cannot get it by using menu_get_object( ) instead of directly accessing $data.

When I edit and save the same node, the path is generated properly - $data seems to exist here.

I also tried to set the type of the custom token to Node, but this also didn't work.