diff --git a/code/cgame/cg_view.c b/code/cgame/cg_view.c
index 1131841f70..74bd2488c1 100644
--- a/code/cgame/cg_view.c
+++ b/code/cgame/cg_view.c
@@ -796,7 +796,8 @@ void CG_DrawActiveFrame( int serverTime, stereoFrame_t stereoView, qboolean demo
 	CG_PredictPlayerState();
 
 	// decide on third person view
-	cg.renderingThirdPerson = cg_thirdPerson.integer || (cg.snap->ps.stats[STAT_HEALTH] <= 0);
+	cg.renderingThirdPerson = cg.snap->ps.persistant[PERS_TEAM] != TEAM_SPECTATOR
+							&& (cg_thirdPerson.integer || (cg.snap->ps.stats[STAT_HEALTH] <= 0));
 
 	// build cg.refdef
 	inwater = CG_CalcViewValues();