diff --git a/src/items/cake.cpp b/src/items/cake.cpp
index c59419caf..187ef3b29 100644
--- a/src/items/cake.cpp
+++ b/src/items/cake.cpp
@@ -62,11 +62,12 @@ Cake::Cake (Kart *kart) : Flyable(kart, POWERUP_CAKE)
     float pitch = kart->getTerrainPitch(heading);
 
     // Find closest kart in front of the current one
+    const bool  backwards = kart->getControls().m_look_back;
     const Kart *closest_kart=NULL;
     Vec3        direction;
     float       kartDistSquared;
     getClosestKart(&closest_kart, &kartDistSquared, &direction, 
-                   kart /* search in front of this kart */);
+                   kart /* search in front of this kart */, backwards);
 
     // aim at this kart if 1) it's not too far, 2) if the aimed kart's speed
     // allows the projectile to catch up with it
@@ -86,6 +87,12 @@ Cake::Cake (Kart *kart) : Flyable(kart, POWERUP_CAKE)
 
         // apply transformation to the bullet object (without pitch)
         trans.setRotation(btQuaternion(btVector3(0,1,0), fire_angle));
+        
+        m_initial_velocity = Vec3(0.0f, up_velocity, m_speed);
+
+        createPhysics(forward_offset, m_initial_velocity,
+                      new btCylinderShape(0.5f*m_extend), -m_gravity,
+                      true /* rotation */, false /* backwards */, &trans);
     }
     else
     {
@@ -93,13 +100,14 @@ Cake::Cake (Kart *kart) : Flyable(kart, POWERUP_CAKE)
         // kart is too far to be hit. so throw the projectile in a generic way,
         // straight ahead, without trying to hit anything in particular
         trans = kart->getKartHeading(pitch);
+        
+        m_initial_velocity = Vec3(0.0f, up_velocity, m_speed);
+
+        createPhysics(forward_offset, m_initial_velocity,
+                      new btCylinderShape(0.5f*m_extend), -m_gravity,
+                      true /* rotation */, backwards, &trans);
     }
 
-    m_initial_velocity = Vec3(0.0f, up_velocity, m_speed);
-
-    createPhysics(forward_offset, m_initial_velocity,
-                  new btCylinderShape(0.5f*m_extend), -m_gravity,
-                  true /* rotation */, false /* backwards */, &trans);
 
     //do not adjust height according to terrain
     setAdjustUpVelocity(false);