diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index 6980a7e6f..d8f331c62 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -2653,6 +2653,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
         target = result.mHitObject;
         hitPosition = result.mHitPos;
 
+        // don't allow casting on non-activatable objects
+        if (!target.isEmpty() && !target.getClass().isActor() && target.getClass().getName(target).empty())
+            target = MWWorld::Ptr();
+
         std::string selectedSpell = stats.getSpells().getSelectedSpell();
 
         MWMechanics::CastSpell cast(actor, target);