diff --git a/src/items/item_manager.hpp b/src/items/item_manager.hpp
index 83f5f9a9e..8c96e4951 100644
--- a/src/items/item_manager.hpp
+++ b/src/items/item_manager.hpp
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ public:
     void           reset           ();
     virtual void   collectedItem   (Item *item, AbstractKart *kart);
     void           switchItems     ();
+    bool           areItemSwitched() { return (m_switch_ticks > 0); }
     bool           randomItemsForArena(const AlignedArray<btTransform>& pos);
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     /** Only used in the NetworkItemManager. */
diff --git a/src/karts/controller/skidding_ai.cpp b/src/karts/controller/skidding_ai.cpp
index a6e5bc03a..9780e5fca 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/skidding_ai.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/skidding_ai.cpp
@@ -1424,7 +1424,8 @@ void SkiddingAI::handleBubblegum(int item_skill, const std::vector<const Item *>
         if (abs_angle < 0.2f) straight_behind = true;
     }
 
-    if(m_distance_behind < 8.0f && straight_behind   )
+    if(m_distance_behind < 8.0f && straight_behind &&
+       (!ItemManager::get()->areItemSwitched() || item_skill < 4))
     {
         m_controls->setFire(true);
         m_controls->setLookBack(true);