diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/ripplesimulation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/ripplesimulation.cpp
index 766e20fc4..7439bfc70 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/ripplesimulation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/ripplesimulation.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,6 @@ void RippleSimulation::update(float dt)
         }
 
         osg::Vec3f currentPos (it->mPtr.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3());
-        currentPos.z() = 0; // Z is set by the Scene Node
 
         if ( (currentPos - it->mLastEmitPosition).length() > 10
              // Only emit when close to the water surface, not above it and not too deep in the water
@@ -136,6 +135,8 @@ void RippleSimulation::update(float dt)
         {
             it->mLastEmitPosition = currentPos;
 
+            currentPos.z() = mParticleNode->getPosition().z();
+
             if (mParticleSystem->numParticles()-mParticleSystem->numDeadParticles() > 500)
                 continue; // TODO: remove the oldest particle to make room?