diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/npcanimation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/npcanimation.cpp
index 7de3e1d5a..21ec8d535 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/npcanimation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/npcanimation.cpp
@@ -1006,7 +1006,7 @@ void NpcAnimation::setAlpha(float alpha)
 
         // FIXME: overriding diffuse/ambient/emissive colors
         osg::Material* material (new osg::Material);
-        material->setColorMode(osg::Material::DIFFUSE);
+        material->setColorMode(osg::Material::OFF);
         material->setDiffuse(osg::Material::FRONT_AND_BACK, osg::Vec4f(1,1,1,alpha));
         material->setAmbient(osg::Material::FRONT_AND_BACK, osg::Vec4f(1,1,1,1));
         stateset->setAttributeAndModes(material, osg::StateAttribute::ON|osg::StateAttribute::OVERRIDE);