diff --git a/src/k_follower.c b/src/k_follower.c
index 8e5fb1832..618efeedf 100644
--- a/src/k_follower.c
+++ b/src/k_follower.c
@@ -532,6 +532,13 @@ void K_HandleFollower(player_t *player)
 		{
 			player->follower->renderflags |= RF_DONTDRAW;
 		}
+		else
+		{
+			if ((player->pflags & PF_AUTORING) && !(K_PlayerCanUseItem(player) && (player->itemflags & IF_USERINGS)))
+			{
+				player->follower->renderflags |= RF_TRANS50;
+			}
+		}
 
 		// if we're moving let's make the angle the direction we're moving towards. This is to avoid drifting / reverse looking awkward.
 		if (FixedHypot(player->follower->momx, player->follower->momy) >= player->mo->scale)
diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index db6e35cb1..2bd89a293 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -12599,7 +12599,7 @@ void K_MoveKartPlayer(player_t *player, boolean onground)
 		player->instaWhipCharge = min(player->instaWhipCharge, INSTAWHIP_CHARGETIME - 2);
 	}
 
-	if (player && player->mo && player->mo->health > 0 && !player->spectator && !P_PlayerInPain(player) && !mapreset && leveltime > introtime)
+	if (player && player->mo && K_PlayerCanUseItem(player))
 	{
 		// First, the really specific, finicky items that function without the item being directly in your item slot.
 		{
@@ -14481,4 +14481,9 @@ void K_MakeObjectReappear(mobj_t *mo)
 	(!P_MobjWasRemoved(mo->punt_ref) ? mo->punt_ref : mo)->reappear = leveltime + (30*TICRATE);
 }
 
+boolean K_PlayerCanUseItem(player_t *player)
+{
+	return (player->mo->health > 0 && !player->spectator && !P_PlayerInPain(player) && !mapreset && leveltime > introtime);
+}
+
 //}
diff --git a/src/k_kart.h b/src/k_kart.h
index 6556138e1..4c67b23df 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.h
+++ b/src/k_kart.h
@@ -277,6 +277,8 @@ void K_BumperInflate(player_t *player);
 
 boolean K_ThunderDome(void);
 
+boolean K_PlayerCanUseItem(player_t *player);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
 #endif