diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 50501a54d..5674cd3c2 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -192,6 +192,7 @@
     Bug #5239: OpenMW-CS does not support non-ASCII characters in path names
     Bug #5241: On-self absorb spells cannot be detected
     Bug #5242: ExplodeSpell behavior differs from Cast behavior
+    Bug #5249: Wandering NPCs start walking too soon after they hello
     Bug #5250: Creatures display shield ground mesh instead of shield body part
     Feature #1774: Handle AvoidNode
     Feature #2229: Improve pathfinding AI
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
index b49dcd469..e2bf08d82 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
@@ -142,8 +142,9 @@ void getRestorationPerHourOfSleep (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, float& health, float
 
 namespace MWMechanics
 {
-    static const int GREETING_SHOULD_START = 4; //how many updates should pass before NPC can greet player
-    static const int GREETING_SHOULD_END = 10;
+    static const int GREETING_SHOULD_START = 4; // how many updates should pass before NPC can greet player
+    static const int GREETING_SHOULD_END = 20;  // how many updates should pass before NPC stops turning to player
+    static const int GREETING_COOLDOWN = 40;    // how many updates should pass before NPC can continue movement
     static const float DECELERATE_DISTANCE = 512.f;
 
     class GetStuntedMagickaDuration : public MWMechanics::EffectSourceVisitor
@@ -519,9 +520,10 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         {
             greetingTimer++;
 
-            turnActorToFacePlayer(actor, dir);
+            if (greetingTimer <= GREETING_SHOULD_END || MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->sayActive(actor))
+                turnActorToFacePlayer(actor, dir);
 
-            if (greetingTimer >= GREETING_SHOULD_END)
+            if (greetingTimer >= GREETING_COOLDOWN)
             {
                 greetingState = Greet_Done;
                 greetingTimer = 0;