diff --git a/src/osgGA/SphericalManipulator.cpp b/src/osgGA/SphericalManipulator.cpp
index 6cc4ad0e8..2aae9c51c 100644
--- a/src/osgGA/SphericalManipulator.cpp
+++ b/src/osgGA/SphericalManipulator.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ SphericalManipulator::SphericalManipulator()
     _heading=0.0;
     _elevation=osg::PI_2;
 
-    setRotationMode(ELEVATION_HEADING);
+    _rotationMode = ELEVATION_HEADING;
 }
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SphericalManipulator::~SphericalManipulator()