diff --git a/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.I b/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.I
index 4fd3336582..2ab0a03d3b 100644
--- a/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.I
+++ b/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.I
@@ -476,6 +476,29 @@ get_ignore_mouse() const {
   return _ignore_mouse;
 }
 
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//     Function: DriveInterface::set_force_mouse
+//       Access: Published
+//  Description: Changes the state of the force_mouse flag.  If this
+//               flag is true, the mouse button need not be held down
+//               in order to drive the avatar around.
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+INLINE void DriveInterface::
+set_force_mouse(bool force_mouse) {
+  _force_mouse = force_mouse;
+}
+
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//     Function: DriveInterface::get_force_mouse
+//       Access: Published
+//  Description: Returns the current setting of the force_mouse flag.
+//               See set_force_mouse().
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+INLINE bool DriveInterface::
+get_force_mouse() const {
+  return _force_mouse;
+}
+
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //     Function: DriveInterface::set_mat
diff --git a/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.cxx b/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.cxx
index a5934f5e47..69f42254c5 100644
--- a/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.cxx
+++ b/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.cxx
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ DriveInterface(const string &name) : DataNode(name) {
 
   _cs = default_coordinate_system;
   _ignore_mouse = false;
+  _force_mouse = false;
 
   _mods.add_button(MouseButton::one());
   _mods.add_button(MouseButton::two());
@@ -235,7 +236,7 @@ apply(double x, double y, bool any_button) {
   _speed = 0.0f;
   _rot_speed = 0.0f;
 
-  if (any_button) {
+  if (any_button || _force_mouse) {
     // If we're holding down any of the mouse buttons, do this
     // computation based on the mouse position.
 
diff --git a/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.h b/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.h
index f7a5603c55..61348e161f 100644
--- a/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.h
+++ b/panda/src/tform/driveInterface.h
@@ -103,6 +103,9 @@ PUBLISHED:
   INLINE void set_ignore_mouse(bool ignore_mouse);
   INLINE bool get_ignore_mouse() const;
 
+  INLINE void set_force_mouse(bool force_mouse);
+  INLINE bool get_force_mouse() const;
+
   void set_mat(const LMatrix4f &mat);
   const LMatrix4f &get_mat() const;
 
@@ -139,6 +142,7 @@ private:
   bool _is_force_roll;
   CoordinateSystem _cs;
   bool _ignore_mouse;
+  bool _force_mouse;
 
   // Remember which mouse buttons are being held down.
   ModifierButtons _mods;