diff --git a/src/map.cpp b/src/map.cpp
index f0706793bcb9..1baffe46eadb 100644
--- a/src/map.cpp
+++ b/src/map.cpp
@@ -2315,7 +2315,11 @@ void map::drop_vehicle( const tripoint &p )
         return;
     }
 
-    vp->vehicle().is_falling = true;
+    if( vp->vehicle().is_rotorcraft() ) {
+        vp->vehicle().set_flying( true );
+    } else {
+        vp->vehicle().is_falling = true;
+    }
 }
 
 void map::drop_fields( const tripoint &p )