diff --git a/src/game/interaction.c b/src/game/interaction.c
index ab1e34d9..6234c8fc 100644
--- a/src/game/interaction.c
+++ b/src/game/interaction.c
@@ -1532,7 +1532,9 @@ u32 interact_pole(struct MarioState *m, UNUSED u32 interactType, struct Object *
 
             marioObj->oMarioPoleUnk108 = 0;
             marioObj->oMarioPoleYawVel = 0;
-            marioObj->oMarioPolePos = (m->pos[1] - o->oPosY) < 0 ? 0 : (m->pos[1] - o->oPosY);
+            marioObj->oMarioPolePos = (m->pos[1] - o->oPosY) < 0
+                ? (m->pos[1] - o->oPosY) + 1.0f
+                : (m->pos[1] - o->oPosY);
 
             if (lowSpeed) {
                 return set_mario_action(m, ACT_GRAB_POLE_SLOW, 0);