diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
index 8a6101cd59..9f92f88906 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
@@ -2372,7 +2372,8 @@ void CharacterController::update(float duration, bool animationOnly)
     moved.x() *= scale;
     moved.y() *= scale;
 
-    if (mPtr.getClass().isNpc() && !Settings::Manager::getBool("normalise race speed", "Game"))
+    static const bool normalizeSpeed = Settings::Manager::getBool("normalise race speed", "Game");
+    if (mPtr.getClass().isNpc() && !normalizeSpeed)
     {
         const ESM::NPC* npc = mPtr.get<ESM::NPC>()->mBase;
         const ESM::Race* race = world->getStore().get<ESM::Race>().find(npc->mRace);