diff --git a/src/engine/level_script.c b/src/engine/level_script.c
index 3ac827f2b..9a4ce7909 100644
--- a/src/engine/level_script.c
+++ b/src/engine/level_script.c
@@ -373,6 +373,11 @@ static void level_reset_globals(void) {
     gEnvFxBuffer = NULL;
     gEnvFxMode = ENVFX_MODE_NONE;
 
+    // clear area's level pool pointers
+    for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
+        gAreas[i].unk04 = NULL;
+    }
+
     // free models stored in dynos
     dynos_model_clear_pool(MODEL_POOL_LEVEL);
 }
diff --git a/src/game/object_helpers.c b/src/game/object_helpers.c
index f6e9682b2..d67a58dab 100644
--- a/src/game/object_helpers.c
+++ b/src/game/object_helpers.c
@@ -2627,7 +2627,7 @@ s32 cur_obj_is_mario_ground_pounding_platform(void) {
         if (!is_player_active(&gMarioStates[i])) { continue; }
         if (!gMarioStates[i].marioObj) { continue; }
         if (gMarioStates[i].marioObj->platform == o) {
-            if (determine_interaction(&gMarioStates[i], o) & INT_GROUND_POUND) {
+            if ((determine_interaction(&gMarioStates[i], o) & INT_GROUND_POUND) || (gMarioStates[i].action == ACT_GROUND_POUND_LAND)) {
                 return TRUE;
             }
         }