diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneBlock.java b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneBlock.java
index 2e8bbed7e..cf85319e8 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneBlock.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/client/SceneBlock.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: SceneBlock.java,v 1.22 2003/11/12 23:05:40 ray Exp $
+// $Id: SceneBlock.java,v 1.23 2003/11/12 23:13:45 ray Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.miso.client;
 
@@ -371,16 +371,15 @@ public class SceneBlock
             return false;
         }
 
+        // null base or impassable base kills traversal
         BaseTile base = getBaseTile(tx, ty);
         if ((base == null) || !base.isPassable()) {
             return false;
         }
 
+        // fringe can only kill traversal if it is present
         BaseTile fringe = getFringeTile(tx, ty);
-        if (fringe != null) {
-            return fringe.isPassable();
-        }
-        return true;
+        return (fringe == null) || fringe.isPassable();
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/tile/AutoFringer.java b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/tile/AutoFringer.java
index 0eaecaae3..cdb065e11 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/miso/tile/AutoFringer.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/miso/tile/AutoFringer.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: AutoFringer.java,v 1.26 2003/11/12 23:05:41 ray Exp $
+// $Id: AutoFringer.java,v 1.27 2003/11/12 23:13:45 ray Exp $
 
 package com.threerings.miso.tile;
 
@@ -95,17 +95,17 @@ public class AutoFringer
                 // now turn on the appropriate fringebits
                 fringer.bits |= FLAGMATRIX[y - row + 1][x - col + 1];
 
-                // and see if this base tile kills passability
-                if (passable) {
-                    if (btid > 0) {
-                        try {
-                            BaseTile bt = (BaseTile) _tmgr.getTile(btid);
-                            passable = bt.isPassable();
-                        } catch (NoSuchTileSetException nstse) {
-                            Log.warning("Autofringer couldn't find a base " +
-                                "set while attempting to figure passability " +
-                                "[error=" + nstse + "].");
-                        }
+                // See if a tile that fringes on us kills our passability,
+                // but don't count the default base tile against us, as
+                // we allow users to splash in the water.
+                if (passable && (btid > 0)) {
+                    try {
+                        BaseTile bt = (BaseTile) _tmgr.getTile(btid);
+                        passable = bt.isPassable();
+                    } catch (NoSuchTileSetException nstse) {
+                        Log.warning("Autofringer couldn't find a base " +
+                            "set while attempting to figure passability " +
+                            "[error=" + nstse + "].");
                     }
                 }
             }