diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
index c942fecb1b..7c083ca08f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
@@ -798,6 +798,43 @@ namespace MWPhysics
         return !result.mHit;
     }
 
+    // physactor->getOnGround() is not a reliable indicator of whether the actor
+    // is on the ground (defaults to false, which means code blocks such as
+    // CharacterController::update() may falsely detect "falling").
+    //
+    // Also, collisions can move z position slightly off zero, giving a false
+    // indication. In order to reduce false detection of jumping, small distance
+    // below the actor is detected and ignored. A value of 1.5 is used here, but
+    // something larger may be more suitable.  This change should resolve Bug#1271.
+    //
+    // TODO: There might be better places to update PhysicActor::mOnGround.
+    bool PhysicsSystem::isOnGround(const MWWorld::Ptr &actor)
+    {
+        Actor* physactor = getActor(actor);
+        if(!physactor)
+            return false;
+        if(physactor->getOnGround())
+            return true;
+        else
+        {
+            osg::Vec3f pos(actor.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3());
+
+            ActorTracer tracer;
+            // a small distance above collision object is considered "on ground"
+            tracer.findGround(physactor,
+                              pos,
+                              pos - osg::Vec3f(0, 0, 1.5f), // trace a small amount down
+                              mCollisionWorld);
+            if(tracer.mFraction < 1.0f) // collision, must be close to something below
+            {
+                physactor->setOnGround(true);
+                return true;
+            }
+            else
+                return false;
+        }
+    }
+
     class ContactTestResultCallback : public btCollisionWorld::ContactResultCallback
     {
     public:
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.hpp
index 7920347ad5..2defd7a507 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.hpp
@@ -104,6 +104,8 @@ namespace MWPhysics
             /// Return true if actor1 can see actor2.
             bool getLineOfSight(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor1, const MWWorld::Ptr& actor2);
 
+            bool isOnGround (const MWWorld::Ptr& actor);
+
             /// Queues velocity movement for a Ptr. If a Ptr is already queued, its velocity will
             /// be overwritten. Valid until the next call to applyQueuedMovement.
             void queueObjectMovement(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr, const osg::Vec3f &velocity);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index f4f960d97c..aa21ca7fba 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -2022,44 +2022,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
         return pos.z < cell->getWaterLevel();
     }
 
-    // physactor->getOnGround() is not a reliable indicator of whether the actor
-    // is on the ground (defaults to false, which means code blocks such as
-    // CharacterController::update() may falsely detect "falling").
-    //
-    // Also, collisions can move z position slightly off zero, giving a false
-    // indication. In order to reduce false detection of jumping, small distance
-    // below the actor is detected and ignored. A value of 1.5 is used here, but
-    // something larger may be more suitable.  This change should resolve Bug#1271.
-    //
-    // TODO: There might be better places to update PhysicActor::mOnGround.
     bool World::isOnGround(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr) const
     {
-        MWPhysics::Actor* physactor = mPhysics->getActor(ptr);
-
-        if(!physactor)
-            return false;
-        return physactor->getOnGround();
-        /*
-        if(physactor->getOnGround())
-            return true;
-        else
-        {
-            Ogre::Vector3 pos(ptr.getRefData().getPosition().pos);
-            OEngine::Physic::ActorTracer tracer;
-            // a small distance above collision object is considered "on ground"
-            tracer.findGround(physactor,
-                              pos,
-                              pos - Ogre::Vector3(0, 0, 1.5f), // trace a small amount down
-                              mPhysEngine);
-            if(tracer.mFraction < 1.0f) // collision, must be close to something below
-            {
-                physactor->setOnGround(true);
-                return true;
-            }
-            else
-                return false;
-        }
-        */
+        return mPhysics->isOnGround(ptr);
     }
 
     void World::togglePOV()