diff --git a/apps/launcher/advancedpage.cpp b/apps/launcher/advancedpage.cpp
index b7bf1a2494..683d441193 100644
--- a/apps/launcher/advancedpage.cpp
+++ b/apps/launcher/advancedpage.cpp
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ bool Launcher::AdvancedPage::loadSettings()
         int numPhysicsThreads = mEngineSettings.getInt("async num threads", "Physics");
         if (numPhysicsThreads >= 0)
             physicsThreadsSpinBox->setValue(numPhysicsThreads);
+        loadSettingBool(allowNPCToFollowOverWaterSurfaceCheckBox, "allow actors to follow over water surface", "Game");
     }
 
     // Visuals
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actorutil.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actorutil.cpp
index e27c9de495..04cbb8e9f5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actorutil.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actorutil.cpp
@@ -23,4 +23,10 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         MWBase::World* world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
         return (actor.getClass().canSwim(actor) && world->isSwimming(actor)) || world->isFlying(actor);
     }
+
+    bool hasWaterWalking(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor)
+    {
+        const MWMechanics::MagicEffects& effects = actor.getClass().getCreatureStats(actor).getMagicEffects();
+        return effects.get(ESM::MagicEffect::WaterWalking).getMagnitude() > 0;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actorutil.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actorutil.hpp
index 1e993f5606..a226fc9cb6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actorutil.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actorutil.hpp
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
     MWWorld::Ptr getPlayer();
     bool isPlayerInCombat();
     bool canActorMoveByZAxis(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor);
+    bool hasWaterWalking(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor);
 
     template<class T>
     void setBaseAISetting(const std::string& id, MWMechanics::CreatureStats::AiSetting setting, int value)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aipackage.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aipackage.cpp
index 214aad320b..8dcf37355c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aipackage.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aipackage.cpp
@@ -411,10 +411,16 @@ bool MWMechanics::AiPackage::isReachableRotatingOnTheRun(const MWWorld::Ptr& act
 
 DetourNavigator::Flags MWMechanics::AiPackage::getNavigatorFlags(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor) const
 {
+    static const bool allowToFollowOverWaterSurface = Settings::Manager::getBool("allow actors to follow over water surface", "Game");
+
     const MWWorld::Class& actorClass = actor.getClass();
     DetourNavigator::Flags result = DetourNavigator::Flag_none;
 
-    if (actorClass.isPureWaterCreature(actor) || (getTypeId() != AiPackageTypeId::Wander && actorClass.canSwim(actor)))
+    if (actorClass.isPureWaterCreature(actor)
+        || (getTypeId() != AiPackageTypeId::Wander
+            && ((allowToFollowOverWaterSurface && getTypeId() == AiPackageTypeId::Follow)
+                || actorClass.canSwim(actor)
+                || hasWaterWalking(actor))))
         result |= DetourNavigator::Flag_swim;
 
     if (actorClass.canWalk(actor))
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/modding/settings/game.rst b/docs/source/reference/modding/settings/game.rst
index 4e1fe13183..878485b3b3 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/modding/settings/game.rst
+++ b/docs/source/reference/modding/settings/game.rst
@@ -439,3 +439,19 @@ graphic herbalism
 Some mods add harvestable container models. When this setting is enabled, activating a container using a harvestable model will visually harvest from it instead of opening the menu.
 
 When this setting is turned off or when activating a regular container, the menu will open as usual.
+
+allow actors to follow over water surface
+---------------------
+
+:Type:		boolean
+:Range:		True/False
+:Default:	True
+
+If enabled actors will always find path over the water surface when following other actors. This makes OpenMW behaviour closer to the vanilla engine.
+
+If disabled actors without the ability to swim will not follow other actors to the water.
+
+.. note::
+    Has effect only when Navigator is enabled.
+
+This setting can be controlled in Advanced tab of the launcher.
diff --git a/files/settings-default.cfg b/files/settings-default.cfg
index 78487b1735..68c27abe5a 100644
--- a/files/settings-default.cfg
+++ b/files/settings-default.cfg
@@ -364,6 +364,10 @@ always allow stealing from knocked out actors = false
 # Enables visually harvesting plants for models that support it.
 graphic herbalism = true
 
+# Give actors an ability to swim over water surface when they follow other actor independently from their ability to swim
+# (true, false)
+allow actors to follow over water surface = true
+
 [General]
 
 # Anisotropy reduces distortion in textures at low angles (e.g. 0 to 16).
diff --git a/files/ui/advancedpage.ui b/files/ui/advancedpage.ui
index a990e9172f..594372aab7 100644
--- a/files/ui/advancedpage.ui
+++ b/files/ui/advancedpage.ui
@@ -153,6 +153,16 @@
            </property>
           </widget>
          </item>
+         <item row="6" column="1">
+          <widget class="QCheckBox" name="allowNPCToFollowOverWaterSurfaceCheckBox">
+           <property name="toolTip">
+            <string>Give NPC an ability to swim over the water surface when they follow other actor independently from their ability to swim. Has effect only when nav mesh building is enabled.</string>
+           </property>
+           <property name="text">
+            <string>Always allow NPC to follow over water surface</string>
+           </property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
         </layout>
        </item>
        <item>