diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
index 83d6cc1f3..0f99725fd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
@@ -242,11 +242,6 @@ std::string CharacterController::chooseRandomGroup (const std::string& prefix, i
     return prefix + toString(roll);
 }
 
-void CharacterController::updateKnockoutTimer(float duration)
-{
-    mTimeUntilWake -= duration;
-}
-
 void CharacterController::refreshHitRecoilAnims()
 {
     bool recovery = mPtr.getClass().getCreatureStats(mPtr).getHitRecovery();
@@ -766,6 +761,7 @@ CharacterController::CharacterController(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr, MWRender::Anim
     , mSecondsOfRunning(0)
     , mTurnAnimationThreshold(0)
     , mAttackingOrSpell(false)
+    , mTimeUntilWake(0.f)
 {
     if(!mAnimation)
         return;
@@ -1637,7 +1633,7 @@ void CharacterController::update(float duration)
     updateMagicEffects();
         
     if (isKnockedOut())
-        updateKnockoutTimer(duration);
+        mTimeUntilWake -= duration;
 
     bool godmode = mPtr == MWMechanics::getPlayer() && MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getGodModeState();
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.hpp
index 0b9e60c11..6de18fe62 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.hpp
@@ -226,8 +226,6 @@ class CharacterController : public MWRender::Animation::TextKeyListener
 
     void updateMagicEffects();
 
-    void updateKnockoutTimer(float duration);
-
     void playDeath(float startpoint, CharacterState death);
     CharacterState chooseRandomDeathState() const;
     void playRandomDeath(float startpoint = 0.0f);