diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/InputStateGlobal.py b/direct/src/showbase/InputStateGlobal.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d124244c7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/direct/src/showbase/InputStateGlobal.py
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+"""instantiate global InputState object"""
+
+# This file had to be separated from MessengerGlobal to resolve a
+# circular include dependency with DirectObject.
+
+import InputState
+
+inputState = InputState.InputState()
diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/MessengerGlobal.py b/direct/src/showbase/MessengerGlobal.py
index 8aab6ac0d0..588d38254c 100644
--- a/direct/src/showbase/MessengerGlobal.py
+++ b/direct/src/showbase/MessengerGlobal.py
@@ -1,10 +1,5 @@
 """instantiate global Messenger object"""
 
 import Messenger
-import InputState
 
 messenger = Messenger.Messenger()
-
-# inputState is an optional add-on for the messenger, and
-# that is why it is created here (See Also: InputState.py):
-inputState = InputState.InputState()
diff --git a/direct/src/showbase/ShowBase.py b/direct/src/showbase/ShowBase.py
index 02604403cc..c168665698 100644
--- a/direct/src/showbase/ShowBase.py
+++ b/direct/src/showbase/ShowBase.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from PythonUtil import *
 from ParticleManagerGlobal import *
 from PhysicsManagerGlobal import *
 from IntervalManager import ivalMgr
+from InputStateGlobal import inputState
 
 import Task
 import EventManager