diff --git a/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.I b/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.I
index 813549c03a..ef4f2aac21 100644
--- a/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.I
+++ b/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.I
@@ -291,6 +291,17 @@ get_smooth_pos() const {
   return _smooth_pos;
 }
 
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//     Function: SmoothMover::get_forward_axis
+//       Access: Published
+//  Description: Returns the smoothed position as computed by a
+//               previous call to compute_smooth_position().
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+INLINE const LVecBase3f &SmoothMover::
+get_forward_axis() const {
+  return _forward_axis;
+}
+ 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //     Function: SmoothMover::get_smooth_hpr
 //       Access: Published
diff --git a/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.h b/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.h
index eee03347bf..a5936107fb 100644
--- a/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.h
+++ b/direct/src/deadrec/smoothMover.h
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ PUBLISHED:
 
   INLINE float get_smooth_forward_velocity() const;
   INLINE float get_smooth_rotational_velocity() const;
-
+  INLINE const LVecBase3f &get_forward_axis() const;
 
   // These static methods control the global properties of all
   // SmoothMovers.