diff --git a/core/src/test/java/com/threerings/cast/CharSpriteViz.java b/core/src/test/java/com/threerings/cast/CharSpriteViz.java
index 6d067b48..99d5471b 100644
--- a/core/src/test/java/com/threerings/cast/CharSpriteViz.java
+++ b/core/src/test/java/com/threerings/cast/CharSpriteViz.java
@@ -105,6 +105,9 @@ public class CharSpriteViz extends JPanel
 
         _sprite.setLocation(cx, cy);
         _sprite.setOrientation(_orient);
+        // we have to manually tick the sprite because it lazily
+        // recomputes its action frames when ticked
+        _sprite.tick(0L);
         _sprite.paint((Graphics2D)g);
     }