diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/OtherAvatar.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/OtherAvatar.cpp
index b6a2ea3ed9..fe0e83dfa0 100755
--- a/interface/src/avatar/OtherAvatar.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/OtherAvatar.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,11 @@ void OtherAvatar::removeOrb() {
 void OtherAvatar::updateOrbPosition() {
     if (!_otherAvatarOrbMeshPlaceholderID.isNull()) {
         EntityItemProperties properties;
-        properties.setPosition(getHead()->getPosition());
+        glm::vec3 headPosition;
+        if (!_skeletonModel->getHeadPosition(headPosition)) {
+            headPosition = getWorldPosition();
+        }
+        properties.setPosition(headPosition);
         DependencyManager::get<EntityScriptingInterface>()->editEntity(_otherAvatarOrbMeshPlaceholderID, properties);
     }
 }