diff --git a/src/game/game.gd b/src/game/game.gd
index 708b0c6..b833ac5 100644
--- a/src/game/game.gd
+++ b/src/game/game.gd
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ func _physics_process(_delta: float) -> void:
 	if _tutorial_step != TutorialStep.DONE:
 		match _tutorial_step:
 			TutorialStep.PRESS_J:
-				if _crusher_is_active:
+				if crusher_is_active:
 					_tutorial_step = (_tutorial_step + 1) as TutorialStep
 				else:
 					_press_d_prompt.hide()
 					_press_j_prompt.show()
 			TutorialStep.PRESS_D:
-				if not _crusher_is_active:
+				if not crusher_is_active:
 					_tutorial_step = (_tutorial_step + 1) as TutorialStep
 				else:
 					_press_d_prompt.show()
@@ -81,25 +81,23 @@ func _on_ghost_spawn_timer_timeout() -> void:
 @export var _splat_sfx: AudioStreamPlayer3D
 @export var _crusher_anim: AnimationPlayer
 
+# can't reactivate until deactivated, and vice versa
+@export var crusher_is_active := false
+
 @onready var _crush_range_start = _crusher.position.y + 1.8
 @onready var _crush_range_end = _crusher.position.y + -1.4
 
-# can't reactivate until deactivated, and vice versa
-var _crusher_is_active := false
-
 
 func _crusher_activate() -> void:
-	if _crusher_anim.is_playing() or _crusher_is_active:
+	if crusher_is_active:
 		return
 	
-	_crusher_is_active = true
 	_crusher_anim.play("crush")
 
 func _crusher_deactivate() -> void:
-	if _crusher_anim.is_playing() or not _crusher_is_active:
+	if not crusher_is_active:
 		return
 	
-	_crusher_is_active = false
 	_crusher_anim.play("uncrush")
 
 func crusher_crush() -> void:
diff --git a/src/game/game.tscn b/src/game/game.tscn
index 8bbf7a2..0256986 100644
--- a/src/game/game.tscn
+++ b/src/game/game.tscn
@@ -267,6 +267,18 @@ tracks/5/keys = {
 "update": 0,
 "values": [Vector3(1, 1, 1)]
 }
+tracks/6/type = "value"
+tracks/6/imported = false
+tracks/6/enabled = true
+tracks/6/path = NodePath("..:crusher_is_active")
+tracks/6/interp = 1
+tracks/6/loop_wrap = true
+tracks/6/keys = {
+"times": PackedFloat32Array(0),
+"transitions": PackedFloat32Array(1),
+"update": 1,
+"values": [false]
+}
 
 [sub_resource type="Animation" id="Animation_s6lek"]
 resource_name = "crush"
@@ -348,6 +360,18 @@ tracks/5/keys = {
 "times": PackedFloat32Array(0)
 }
 tracks/5/use_blend = true
+tracks/6/type = "value"
+tracks/6/imported = false
+tracks/6/enabled = true
+tracks/6/path = NodePath("..:crusher_is_active")
+tracks/6/interp = 1
+tracks/6/loop_wrap = true
+tracks/6/keys = {
+"times": PackedFloat32Array(0),
+"transitions": PackedFloat32Array(1),
+"update": 1,
+"values": [true]
+}
 
 [sub_resource type="Animation" id="Animation_kgj8g"]
 resource_name = "idle"
@@ -409,6 +433,18 @@ tracks/2/keys = {
 "times": PackedFloat32Array(0)
 }
 tracks/2/use_blend = true
+tracks/3/type = "value"
+tracks/3/imported = false
+tracks/3/enabled = true
+tracks/3/path = NodePath("..:crusher_is_active")
+tracks/3/interp = 1
+tracks/3/loop_wrap = true
+tracks/3/keys = {
+"times": PackedFloat32Array(0.13333334),
+"transitions": PackedFloat32Array(1),
+"update": 1,
+"values": [false]
+}
 
 [sub_resource type="AnimationLibrary" id="AnimationLibrary_kgj8g"]
 _data = {