diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/actor.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/actor.hpp
index 01d8037f6b..cdf49eeb54 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/actor.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/actor.hpp
@@ -158,6 +158,9 @@ namespace MWPhysics
 
         bool canMoveToWaterSurface(float waterlevel, const btCollisionWorld* world) const;
 
+        /// Returns the mesh translation, scaled and rotated as necessary
+        osg::Vec3f getScaledMeshTranslation() const;
+
     private:
         MWWorld::Ptr mStandingOnPtr;
         /// Removes then re-adds the collision object to the dynamics world
@@ -165,9 +168,6 @@ namespace MWPhysics
         void addCollisionMask(int collisionMask);
         int getCollisionMask() const;
 
-        /// Returns the mesh translation, scaled and rotated as necessary
-        osg::Vec3f getScaledMeshTranslation() const;
-
         bool mCanWaterWalk;
         bool mWalkingOnWater;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/movementsolver.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/movementsolver.cpp
index fd8a7f2b05..8987c8d8a3 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/movementsolver.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/movementsolver.cpp
@@ -134,8 +134,6 @@ namespace MWPhysics
 
         // Adjust for collision mesh offset relative to actor's "location"
         // (doTrace doesn't take local/interior collision shape translation into account, so we have to do it on our own)
-        // for compatibility with vanilla assets, we have to derive this from the vertical half extent instead of from internal hull translation
-        // if not for this hack, the "correct" collision hull position would be physicActor->getScaledMeshTranslation()
         actor.mPosition.z() += actor.mHalfExtentsZ; // vanilla-accurate
 
         float swimlevel = actor.mSwimLevel + actor.mHalfExtentsZ;
@@ -465,8 +463,6 @@ namespace MWPhysics
             }
         }
 
-        // use vanilla-accurate collision hull position hack (do same hitbox offset hack as movement solver)
-        // if vanilla compatibility didn't matter, the "correct" collision hull position would be physicActor->getScaledMeshTranslation()
         const auto verticalHalfExtent = osg::Vec3f(0.0, 0.0, actor.mHalfExtentsZ);
 
         // use a 3d approximation of the movement vector to better judge player intent
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
index 195af630f5..ef7fffa034 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
@@ -934,7 +934,8 @@ namespace MWPhysics
         , mRotation()
         , mMovement(actor.velocity())
         , mWaterlevel(waterlevel)
-        , mHalfExtentsZ(actor.getHalfExtents().z())
+        // for compatibility with vanilla assets, mesh offset is the actor halfextent for dead actors
+        , mHalfExtentsZ(actor.getPtr().getClass().getCreatureStats(actor.getPtr()).isDead() ? actor.getHalfExtents().z() : actor.getScaledMeshTranslation().z())
         , mOldHeight(0)
         , mStuckFrames(0)
         , mFlying(MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->isFlying(actor.getPtr()))