diff --git a/src/common/models/model.h b/src/common/models/model.h
index 6084e54075..dc4d644764 100644
--- a/src/common/models/model.h
+++ b/src/common/models/model.h
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void AddSkins(uint8_t *hitlist, const FTextureID* surfaceskinids) = 0;
 	virtual float getAspectFactor(float vscale) { return 1.f; }
 	virtual const TArray<TRS>* AttachAnimationData() { return nullptr; };
-	virtual const TArray<VSMatrix> CalculateBones(int frame1, int frame2, double inter, const TArray<TRS>& animationData, DBoneComponents* bones, int index) { return {}; };
+	virtual const TArray<VSMatrix> CalculateBones(int frame1, int frame2, double inter, const TArray<TRS>* animationData, DBoneComponents* bones, int index) { return {}; };
 
 	void SetVertexBuffer(int type, IModelVertexBuffer *buffer) { mVBuf[type] = buffer; }
 	IModelVertexBuffer *GetVertexBuffer(int type) const { return mVBuf[type]; }
diff --git a/src/common/models/model_iqm.h b/src/common/models/model_iqm.h
index cd87a78f32..3ab9566895 100644
--- a/src/common/models/model_iqm.h
+++ b/src/common/models/model_iqm.h
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ public:
 	void BuildVertexBuffer(FModelRenderer* renderer) override;
 	void AddSkins(uint8_t* hitlist, const FTextureID* surfaceskinids) override;
 	const TArray<TRS>* AttachAnimationData() override;
-	const TArray<VSMatrix> CalculateBones(int frame1, int frame2, double inter, const TArray<TRS>& animationData, DBoneComponents* bones, int index) override;
+	const TArray<VSMatrix> CalculateBones(int frame1, int frame2, double inter, const TArray<TRS>* animationData, DBoneComponents* bones, int index) override;
 
 private:
 	void LoadGeometry();
diff --git a/src/common/models/models_iqm.cpp b/src/common/models/models_iqm.cpp
index 514fb2833c..d61ad9e672 100644
--- a/src/common/models/models_iqm.cpp
+++ b/src/common/models/models_iqm.cpp
@@ -514,9 +514,9 @@ const TArray<TRS>* IQMModel::AttachAnimationData()
 	return &TRSData;
 }
 
-const TArray<VSMatrix> IQMModel::CalculateBones(int frame1, int frame2, double inter, const TArray<TRS>& animationData, DBoneComponents* boneComponentData, int index)
+const TArray<VSMatrix> IQMModel::CalculateBones(int frame1, int frame2, double inter, const TArray<TRS>* animationData, DBoneComponents* boneComponentData, int index)
 {
-	const TArray<TRS>& animationFrames = &animationData ? animationData : TRSData;
+	const TArray<TRS>& animationFrames = animationData ? *animationData : TRSData;
 	if (Joints.Size() > 0)
 	{
 		int numbones = Joints.Size();
@@ -604,4 +604,4 @@ const TArray<VSMatrix> IQMModel::CalculateBones(int frame1, int frame2, double i
 		return bones;
 	}
 	return {};
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/src/r_data/models.cpp b/src/r_data/models.cpp
index fd1fa27a09..8ed3e57f2c 100644
--- a/src/r_data/models.cpp
+++ b/src/r_data/models.cpp
@@ -365,7 +365,6 @@ void RenderFrameModels(FModelRenderer *renderer, FLevelLocals *Level, const FSpr
 			auto& ssids = surfaceskinids.Size() > 0 ? surfaceskinids : smf->surfaceskinIDs;
 			auto ssidp = (unsigned)(i * MD3_MAX_SURFACES) < ssids.Size() ? &ssids[i * MD3_MAX_SURFACES] : nullptr;
 
-			const TArray<TRS>* animationData = nullptr;
 
 			bool nextFrame = smfNext && modelframe != modelframenext;
 
@@ -381,11 +380,11 @@ void RenderFrameModels(FModelRenderer *renderer, FLevelLocals *Level, const FSpr
 			if (animationid >= 0)
 			{
 				FModel* animation = Models[animationid];
-				animationData = animation->AttachAnimationData();
+				const TArray<TRS>* animationData = animation->AttachAnimationData();
 
 				if (!(smf->flags & MDL_MODELSAREATTACHMENTS) || evaluatedSingle == false)
 				{
-					boneData = animation->CalculateBones(modelframe, nextFrame ? modelframenext : modelframe, nextFrame ? inter : 0.f, *animationData, actor->boneComponentData, i);
+					boneData = animation->CalculateBones(modelframe, nextFrame ? modelframenext : modelframe, nextFrame ? inter : 0.f, animationData, actor->boneComponentData, i);
 					boneStartingPosition = renderer->SetupFrame(animation, 0, 0, 0, boneData, -1);
 					evaluatedSingle = true;
 				}
@@ -394,7 +393,7 @@ void RenderFrameModels(FModelRenderer *renderer, FLevelLocals *Level, const FSpr
 			{
 				if (!(smf->flags & MDL_MODELSAREATTACHMENTS) || evaluatedSingle == false)
 				{
-					boneData = mdl->CalculateBones(modelframe, nextFrame ? modelframenext : modelframe, nextFrame ? inter : 0.f, *animationData, actor->boneComponentData, i);
+					boneData = mdl->CalculateBones(modelframe, nextFrame ? modelframenext : modelframe, nextFrame ? inter : 0.f, nullptr, actor->boneComponentData, i);
 					boneStartingPosition = renderer->SetupFrame(mdl, 0, 0, 0, boneData, -1);
 					evaluatedSingle = true;
 				}