diff --git a/src/character_actor.cpp b/src/character_actor.cpp
index e22fb60..211e40b 100644
--- a/src/character_actor.cpp
+++ b/src/character_actor.cpp
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ void CharacterActor::_process(double delta_time) { GDGAMEONLY();
 void CharacterActor::_physics_process(double delta_time) { GDGAMEONLY();
     // accelerate towards velocity target
     Vector3 const new_velocity = this->get_velocity().move_toward(this->velocity_target, delta_time * CharacterActor::ACCELERATION);
-    // only apply velocity if not grounded
-    Vector3 const gravity{this->is_on_floor() ? Vector3() : Vector3{0.f, this->get_velocity().y - 9.8f, 0.f}};
-    this->set_velocity(new_velocity + gravity);
+    Vector3 const gravity{Vector3{0.f, this->get_velocity().y - 9.8f, 0.f}};
+    // apply either gravity or walking velocity depending on results
+    this->set_velocity(this->is_on_floor() ? new_velocity : this->get_velocity() + gravity);
     // update position
     this->move_and_slide();
 }