diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index deee89fa03..a95e960528 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
     Bug #5192: Actor turn rate is too slow
     Bug #5207: Loose summons can be present in scene
     Bug #5279: Ingame console stops auto-scrolling after clicking output
+    Bug #5371: 'Dead' slaughterfish added by mod are animated/alive
     Bug #5377: Console does not appear after using menutest in inventory
     Bug #5379: Wandering NPCs falling through cantons
     Bug #5394: Windows snapping no longer works
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
index e3cbd3bb62..c60f64884f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/character.cpp
@@ -880,12 +880,10 @@ CharacterController::CharacterController(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr, MWRender::Anim
     {
         /* Don't accumulate with non-actors. */
         mAnimation->setAccumulation(osg::Vec3f(0.f, 0.f, 0.f));
-
-        mIdleState = CharState_Idle;
     }
 
-    // Do not update animation status for dead actors
-    if(mDeathState == CharState_None && (!cls.isActor() || !cls.getCreatureStats(mPtr).isDead()))
+    // Update animation status for living actors
+    if (mDeathState == CharState_None && cls.isActor() && !cls.getCreatureStats(mPtr).isDead())
         refreshCurrentAnims(mIdleState, mMovementState, mJumpState, true);
 
     mAnimation->runAnimation(0.f);