diff --git a/src/hardware/hw_main.c b/src/hardware/hw_main.c
index 3a6baab71..05d1be28f 100644
--- a/src/hardware/hw_main.c
+++ b/src/hardware/hw_main.c
@@ -5180,7 +5180,15 @@ static void HWR_ProjectSprite(mobj_t *thing)
 	if (thing->rollangle
 	&& !(splat && !(thing->renderflags & RF_NOSPLATROLLANGLE)))
 	{
-		rollangle = R_GetRollAngle(thing->rollangle);
+		if (papersprite)
+		{
+			// a positive rollangle should should pitch papersprites upwards relative to their facing angle
+			rollangle = R_GetRollAngle(InvAngle(thing->rollangle));
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			rollangle = R_GetRollAngle(thing->rollangle);
+		}
 		rotsprite = Patch_GetRotatedSprite(sprframe, (thing->frame & FF_FRAMEMASK), rot, flip, false, sprinfo, rollangle);
 
 		if (rotsprite != NULL)
@@ -5234,7 +5242,7 @@ static void HWR_ProjectSprite(mobj_t *thing)
 		{
 			interpmobjstate_t casterinterp = { 0 };
 			fixed_t groundz;
-			fixed_t floordiff; 
+			fixed_t floordiff;
 
 			if (R_UsingFrameInterpolation() && !paused)
 			{
@@ -5244,7 +5252,7 @@ static void HWR_ProjectSprite(mobj_t *thing)
 			{
 				R_InterpolateMobjState(caster, FRACUNIT, &casterinterp);
 			}
-			
+
 			groundz = R_GetShadowZ(thing, NULL);
 			floordiff = abs(((thing->eflags & MFE_VERTICALFLIP) ? caster->height : 0) + casterinterp.z - groundz);