diff --git a/interface/src/Head.cpp b/interface/src/Head.cpp
index 0a632b4a6b..91b9e1b516 100644
--- a/interface/src/Head.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Head.cpp
@@ -1272,7 +1272,7 @@ void Head::renderBody() {
     //---------------------------------------------------------
     // if the hand is grasping, show it...
     //---------------------------------------------------------
-	if (( _usingBodySprings ) && ( getHandState() == 1 )) {
+	if (( _usingBodySprings ) && ( _handState == 1 )) {
 		glPushMatrix();
 			glTranslatef
 			( 
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
index c403a1683a..e404efaf84 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ public:
 
     //  Hand State
     void setHandState(char s) { _handState = s; };
-    const float getHandState() const {return _handState; }; //@Philip - shouldn't this be an int or a char?
+    const char getHandState() const {return _handState; };
 
     //  Instantaneous audio loudness to drive mouth/facial animation
     void setLoudness(float l) { _audioLoudness = l; };