diff --git a/source/graphics/UnitAnimation.cpp b/source/graphics/UnitAnimation.cpp
index f26e7d276e..1e552c516d 100644
--- a/source/graphics/UnitAnimation.cpp
+++ b/source/graphics/UnitAnimation.cpp
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@ void CUnitAnimation::AddModel(CModel* model, const CObjectEntry* object)
 
 void CUnitAnimation::ReloadAnimation()
 {
-	UpdateAnimationID();
 	ReloadUnit(m_Model, m_Object);
 }
 
@@ -101,6 +100,7 @@ void CUnitAnimation::ReloadUnit(CModel* model, const CObjectEntry* object)
 
 	m_AnimStates.clear();
 	m_AnimStatesAreStatic = true;
+	PickAnimationID();
 	AddModel(m_Model, m_Object);
 }
 
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ void CUnitAnimation::Update(float time)
 				// we're handling the root model
 				// choose animations from the complete state
 				CStr oldID = m_AnimationID;
-				UpdateAnimationID();
+				PickAnimationID();
 				anim = it->object->GetRandomAnimation(m_State, m_AnimationID);
 				if (oldID != m_AnimationID)
 					for (SModelAnimState animState : m_AnimStates)
@@ -282,8 +282,7 @@ void CUnitAnimation::Update(float time)
 		cmpSoundManager->PlaySoundGroup(m_ActionSound, m_Entity);
 }
 
-void CUnitAnimation::UpdateAnimationID()
+void CUnitAnimation::PickAnimationID()
 {
-	CStr& ID = m_Object->GetRandomAnimation(m_State)->m_ID;
-	m_AnimationID = ID;
+	m_AnimationID = m_Object->GetRandomAnimation(m_State)->m_ID;
 }
diff --git a/source/graphics/UnitAnimation.h b/source/graphics/UnitAnimation.h
index 7ec595a03a..dbb7179327 100644
--- a/source/graphics/UnitAnimation.h
+++ b/source/graphics/UnitAnimation.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2020 Wildfire Games.
+/* Copyright (C) 2021 Wildfire Games.
  * This file is part of 0 A.D.
  *
  * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ private:
 	/**
 	 * Picks a new animation ID from our current state
 	 */
-	void UpdateAnimationID();
+	void PickAnimationID();
 
 	struct SModelAnimState
 	{