diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
index be5125a2b..225427829 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -1119,7 +1119,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
 
         if (!Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(item.getCellRef().getRefId(), MWWorld::ContainerStore::sGoldId))
         {
-            const MWWorld::Ptr victimRef = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->searchPtr(item.getCellRef().getOwner(), true);
+            const MWWorld::Ptr victimRef = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->searchPtr(ownerCellRef->getOwner(), true);
             if (victimRef.isEmpty() || !victimRef.getClass().getCreatureStats(victimRef).isDead())
                 mStolenItems[Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(item.getCellRef().getRefId())][owner] += count;
         }