diff --git a/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.cxx b/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.cxx
index b1ac2509fe..e084a51db5 100644
--- a/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.cxx
+++ b/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.cxx
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ bool SmoothMover::
 get_latest_position() {
   if (_points.empty()) {
     // Nothing to do if there are no points.
-    return false;
+    return _smooth_position_known;
   }
 
   const SamplePoint &point = _points.back();