diff --git a/examples/controllers/handControllerGrab.js b/examples/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
index 0812dc8980..d4e926ab0d 100644
--- a/examples/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
+++ b/examples/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
@@ -479,7 +479,11 @@ function MyController(hand) {
                             this.setState(STATE_NEAR_GRABBING);
                         } else { // equipping
                             if (typeof grabbableData.spatialKey !== 'undefined') {
-                                this.setState(STATE_EQUIP_SPRING);
+                                // TODO
+                                // if we go to STATE_EQUIP_SPRING the item will be pulled to the hand and will then switch
+                                // to STATE_EQUIP.  This needs some debugging, so just jump straight to STATE_EQUIP here.
+                                // this.setState(STATE_EQUIP_SPRING);
+                                this.setState(STATE_EQUIP);
                             } else {
                                 this.setState(STATE_EQUIP);
                             }
@@ -493,7 +497,9 @@ function MyController(hand) {
                         this.grabbedEntity = intersection.entityID;
                         if (typeof grabbableData.spatialKey !== 'undefined' && this.state == STATE_EQUIP_SEARCHING) {
                             // if a distance pick in equip mode hits something with a spatialKey, equip it
-                            this.setState(STATE_EQUIP_SPRING);
+                            // TODO use STATE_EQUIP_SPRING here once it works right.
+                            // this.setState(STATE_EQUIP_SPRING);
+                            this.setState(STATE_EQUIP);
                             return;
                         } else if (this.state == STATE_SEARCHING) {
                             this.setState(STATE_DISTANCE_HOLDING);
@@ -1248,4 +1254,4 @@ function cleanup() {
 }
 
 Script.scriptEnding.connect(cleanup);
-Script.update.connect(update);
\ No newline at end of file
+Script.update.connect(update);
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.cpp
index 3baffd5b6b..b06d66a035 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.cpp
@@ -330,5 +330,6 @@ void AvatarActionHold::deserialize(QByteArray serializedArguments) {
         _active = true;
     });
 
+    activateBody();
     forceBodyNonStatic();
 }