diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
index d8c78d972b..ef45eeb1b5 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
@@ -236,7 +236,9 @@ protected:
 
     glm::vec3 getBodyRightDirection() const { return getOrientation() * IDENTITY_RIGHT; }
     glm::vec3 getBodyUpDirection() const { return getOrientation() * IDENTITY_UP; }
-    glm::vec3 getBodyFrontDirection() const { return getOrientation() * IDENTITY_FORWARD; }
+    // redundant, calls getBodyForwardDirection which better describes the returned vector as a direction
+    glm::vec3 getBodyFrontDirection() const { return getBodyForwardDirection(); }
+    glm::vec3 getBodyForwardDirection() const { return getOrientation() * IDENTITY_FORWARD; }
     glm::quat computeRotationFromBodyToWorldUp(float proportion = 1.0f) const;
     void measureMotionDerivatives(float deltaTime);
 
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
index bf43a457b7..e0f4b55393 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
@@ -1770,10 +1770,10 @@ void MyAvatar::updateActionMotor(float deltaTime) {
     }
 
     // compute action input
-    glm::vec3 front = (getDriveKey(TRANSLATE_Z)) * IDENTITY_FORWARD;
+    glm::vec3 forward = (getDriveKey(TRANSLATE_Z)) * IDENTITY_FORWARD;
     glm::vec3 right = (getDriveKey(TRANSLATE_X)) * IDENTITY_RIGHT;
 
-    glm::vec3 direction = front + right;
+    glm::vec3 direction = forward + right;
     CharacterController::State state = _characterController.getState();
     if (state == CharacterController::State::Hover) {
         // we're flying --> support vertical motion