diff --git a/src/game/interaction.c b/src/game/interaction.c
index 03d0950e8..609f7cef0 100644
--- a/src/game/interaction.c
+++ b/src/game/interaction.c
@@ -1348,11 +1348,12 @@ u8 passes_pvp_interaction_checks(struct MarioState* attacker, struct MarioState*
                           || attacker->action == ACT_WALL_KICK_AIR || attacker->action == ACT_WATER_JUMP
                           || attacker->action == ACT_STEEP_JUMP || attacker->action == ACT_HOLD_JUMP);
     u8 isVictimIntangible = (victim->action & ACT_FLAG_INTANGIBLE);
+    u8 isVictimGroundPounding = (victim->action == ACT_GROUND_POUND) && (victim->actionState != 0);
     if (victim->knockbackTimer > 0) {
         return false;
     }
 
-    return (!isInvulnerable && !isIgnoredAttack && !isAttackerInvulnerable && !isVictimIntangible);
+    return (!isInvulnerable && !isIgnoredAttack && !isAttackerInvulnerable && !isVictimIntangible && !isVictimGroundPounding);
 }
 
 u32 interact_player(struct MarioState* m, UNUSED u32 interactType, struct Object* o) {