diff --git a/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerPointer.js b/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerPointer.js
index 1fc0a7a82c..80f8976810 100644
--- a/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerPointer.js
+++ b/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerPointer.js
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ function overlayFromWorldPoint(point) {
 }
 
 function activeHudPoint2d(activeHand) { // if controller is valid, update reticle position and answer 2d point. Otherwise falsey.
-    var controllerPose = getControllerWorldLocation(activeHand, true);
+    var controllerPose = getControllerWorldLocation(activeHand, true); // note: this will use head pose of hand pose is invalid (third eye)
     if (!controllerPose.valid) {
         return; // Controller is cradled.
     }
diff --git a/scripts/system/libraries/controllers.js b/scripts/system/libraries/controllers.js
index 8b5c1bc2fb..adee156248 100644
--- a/scripts/system/libraries/controllers.js
+++ b/scripts/system/libraries/controllers.js
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ getControllerWorldLocation = function (handController, doOffset) {
     var orientation;
     var position;
     var pose = Controller.getPoseValue(handController);
+    var valid = pose.valid;
     if (pose.valid) {
         orientation = Quat.multiply(MyAvatar.orientation, pose.rotation);
         position = Vec3.sum(Vec3.multiplyQbyV(MyAvatar.orientation, pose.translation), MyAvatar.position);
@@ -46,10 +47,15 @@ getControllerWorldLocation = function (handController, doOffset) {
         if (doOffset) {
             position = Vec3.sum(position, Vec3.multiplyQbyV(orientation, getGrabPointSphereOffset(handController)));
         }
+    } else if (!HMD.isHandControllerAvailable()){
+        position = MyAvatar.getHeadPosition();
+        orientation = Quat.multiply(MyAvatar.headOrientation, Quat.angleAxis(-90, { x: 1, y: 0, z: 0 }));
+        valid = true;
     }
+
     return {position: position,
             translation: position,
             orientation: orientation,
             rotation: orientation,
-            valid: pose.valid};
+            valid: valid};
 };