diff --git a/src/items/powerup.cpp b/src/items/powerup.cpp
index 2c1a6bb56..4f8a5ec71 100644
--- a/src/items/powerup.cpp
+++ b/src/items/powerup.cpp
@@ -166,7 +166,16 @@ void Powerup::use()
                 kart->attach(ATTACH_ANVIL, stk_config->m_anvil_time);
                 kart->updatedWeight();
                 kart->adjustSpeed(stk_config->m_anvil_speed_factor*0.5f);
-                m_sound_use->position(m_owner->getXYZ());
+                
+                // should we position the sound at the kart that is hit,
+                // or the kart "throwing" the anvil? Ideally it should be both.
+                // Meanwhile, don't play it near AI karts since they obviously
+                // don't hear anything
+                if(kart->isPlayerKart())
+                    m_sound_use->position(kart->getXYZ());
+                else
+                    m_sound_use->position(m_owner->getXYZ());
+                
                 m_sound_use->play();
                 break;
             }
@@ -193,11 +202,15 @@ void Powerup::use()
                 }
             }
 
-            if(player_kart)
-            {
+            // should we position the sound at the kart that is hit,
+            // or the kart "throwing" the anvil? Ideally it should be both.
+            // Meanwhile, don't play it near AI karts since they obviously
+            // don't hear anything
+            if(m_owner->isPlayerKart())
+                m_sound_use->position(m_owner->getXYZ());
+            else if(player_kart)
                 m_sound_use->position(player_kart->getXYZ());
-                m_sound_use->play();
-            }
+            m_sound_use->play();
         }
         break;