diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombat.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombat.cpp
index c821eac0d..68bcae695 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombat.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombat.cpp
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         osg::Vec3f vAimDir = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->aimToTarget(actor, target);
         float distToTarget = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getHitDistance(actor, target);
 
-        storage.mReadyToAttack = (distToTarget <= rangeAttack);
+        storage.mReadyToAttack = (currentAction->isAttackingOrSpell() && distToTarget <= rangeAttack);
         
         // can't fight if attacker can't go where target is.  E.g. A fish can't attack person on land.
         if (distToTarget > rangeAttack
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombataction.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombataction.hpp
index c280d3c11..b36413587 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombataction.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombataction.hpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         virtual float getCombatRange (bool& isRanged) const = 0;
         virtual float getActionCooldown() { return 0.f; }
         virtual const ESM::Weapon* getWeapon() const { return NULL; };
+        virtual bool isAttackingOrSpell() const { return true; }
     };
 
     class ActionSpell : public Action
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         /// Drinks the given potion.
         virtual void prepare(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor);
         virtual float getCombatRange (bool& isRanged) const;
+        virtual bool isAttackingOrSpell() const { return false; }
 
         /// Since this action has no animation, apply a small cool down for using it
         virtual float getActionCooldown() { return 1.f; }