diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
index 0fbc5f4941..aef9a03ca2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -232,8 +232,10 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         invStore.autoEquip(ptr);
     }
 
+    // mWatchedTimeToStartDrowning = -1 for correct drowning state check,
+    // if stats.getTimeToStartDrowning() == 0 already on game start
     MechanicsManager::MechanicsManager()
-    : mWatchedTimeToStartDrowning(0), mWatchedStatsEmpty (true), mUpdatePlayer (true), mClassSelected (false),
+    : mWatchedTimeToStartDrowning(-1), mWatchedStatsEmpty (true), mUpdatePlayer (true), mClassSelected (false),
       mRaceSelected (false), mAI(true)
     {
         //buildPlayer no longer here, needs to be done explicitly after all subsystems are up and running
@@ -324,9 +326,6 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                 winMgr->setValue(fbar, stats.getFatigue());
             }
 
-            // FIXME: if game is just started and actor is already drowning (on savegame loading),
-            // drowning bar will be hidden, because
-            // getTimeToStartDrowning = mWatchedTimeToStartDrowning = 0.
             if(stats.getTimeToStartDrowning() != mWatchedTimeToStartDrowning)
             {
                 const float fHoldBreathTime = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::GameSetting>()