diff --git a/jme3-examples/src/main/java/jme3test/bullet/PhysicsHoverControl.java b/jme3-examples/src/main/java/jme3test/bullet/PhysicsHoverControl.java
index a286501bb..490d64ff2 100644
--- a/jme3-examples/src/main/java/jme3test/bullet/PhysicsHoverControl.java
+++ b/jme3-examples/src/main/java/jme3test/bullet/PhysicsHoverControl.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2009-2012 jMonkeyEngine
+ * Copyright (c) 2009-2019 jMonkeyEngine
  * All rights reserved.
  *
  * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ public class PhysicsHoverControl extends PhysicsVehicle implements PhysicsContro
         Vector3f dir = getForwardVector(tempVect2).multLocal(1, 0, 1).normalizeLocal();
         getLinearVelocity(tempVect3);
         Vector3f linearVelocity = tempVect3.multLocal(1, 0, 1);
+        float groundSpeed = linearVelocity.length();
 
         if (steeringValue != 0) {
             if (rotationVelocity < 1 && rotationVelocity > -1) {
@@ -163,16 +164,18 @@ public class PhysicsHoverControl extends PhysicsVehicle implements PhysicsContro
             // if we are not going where we want to go.
             // this will prevent "drifting" and thus improve control
             // of the vehicle
-            float d = dir.dot(linearVelocity.normalize());
-            Vector3f counter = dir.project(linearVelocity).normalizeLocal().negateLocal().multLocal(1 - d);
-            applyForce(counter.multLocal(mass * 10), Vector3f.ZERO);
+            if (groundSpeed > FastMath.ZERO_TOLERANCE) {
+                float d = dir.dot(linearVelocity.normalize());
+                Vector3f counter = dir.project(linearVelocity).normalizeLocal().negateLocal().multLocal(1 - d);
+                applyForce(counter.multLocal(mass * 10), Vector3f.ZERO);
+            }
 
             if (linearVelocity.length() < 30) {
                 applyForce(dir.multLocal(accelerationValue), Vector3f.ZERO);
             }
         } else {
             // counter the acceleration value
-            if (linearVelocity.length() > FastMath.ZERO_TOLERANCE) {
+            if (groundSpeed > FastMath.ZERO_TOLERANCE) {
                 linearVelocity.normalizeLocal().negateLocal();
                 applyForce(linearVelocity.mult(mass * 10), Vector3f.ZERO);
             }