diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
index 8e5ac0a4a..8786c42e1 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
@@ -41,10 +41,12 @@ CharacterController::CharacterController(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr, MWRender::Anim
     switch(mState)
     {
         case CharState_Idle:
-            mAnimation->playGroup("idle", 1, 1);
+            mCurrentGroup = "idle";
+            mAnimation->playGroup(mCurrentGroup, 1, 1);
             break;
         case CharState_Dead:
-            mAnimation->playGroup("death1", 1, 1);
+            mCurrentGroup = "death1";
+            mAnimation->playGroup(mCurrentGroup, 1, 1);
             break;
     }
 }
@@ -100,10 +102,12 @@ void CharacterController::setState(CharacterState state)
     switch(mState)
     {
         case CharState_Idle:
-            mAnimation->playGroup("idle", 1, 1);
+            mCurrentGroup = "idle";
+            mAnimation->playGroup(mCurrentGroup, 1, 1);
             break;
         case CharState_Dead:
-            mAnimation->playGroup("death1", 1, 1);
+            mCurrentGroup = "death1";
+            mAnimation->playGroup(mCurrentGroup, 1, 1);
             break;
     }
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.hpp
index 83f42887d..9070cbe29 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.hpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ class CharacterController
     MWWorld::Ptr mPtr;
     MWRender::Animation *mAnimation;
 
+    std::string mCurrentGroup;
     CharacterState mState;
 
 protected: