diff --git a/Assets/Scripts/Movement/FollowerController.cs b/Assets/Scripts/Movement/FollowerController.cs
index ddb48426..73d77dfa 100644
--- a/Assets/Scripts/Movement/FollowerController.cs
+++ b/Assets/Scripts/Movement/FollowerController.cs
@@ -65,6 +65,11 @@ public class FollowerController : MonoBehaviour
 
     private bool lastInteractionSuccess = true;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Cache for the currently picked-up GameObject (hidden while held).
+    /// </summary>
+    private GameObject cachedPickupObject = null;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Set to true if the follower just combined items.
     /// </summary>
@@ -329,31 +334,29 @@ public class FollowerController : MonoBehaviour
                     if (justCombined)
                     {
                         // Combination: just destroy the pickup, don't spawn anything
+                        if (cachedPickupObject != null)
+                        {
+                            Destroy(cachedPickupObject);
+                            cachedPickupObject = null;
+                        }
                         GameObject.Destroy(pickup.gameObject);
                         justCombined = false;
                         break;
                     }
                     // Swap logic: if holding an item, drop it here
-                    if (currentlyHeldItem != null)
+                    if (currentlyHeldItem != null && cachedPickupObject != null)
                     {
-                        var basePickupPrefab = GameManager.Instance.BasePickupPrefab;
-                        if (basePickupPrefab != null)
-                        {
-                            var droppedPickupObj = GameObject.Instantiate(basePickupPrefab, pickup.transform.position, Quaternion.identity);
-                            var droppedPickup = droppedPickupObj.GetComponent<Pickup>();
-                            if (droppedPickup != null)
-                            {
-                                droppedPickup.itemData = currentlyHeldItem;
-                                droppedPickup.ApplyItemData();
-                            }
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            Debug.LogWarning("BasePickup prefab not assigned in GameSettings");
-                        }
+                        // Drop the cached object at the pickup's position
+                        cachedPickupObject.transform.position = pickup.transform.position;
+                        cachedPickupObject.transform.SetParent(null);
+                        cachedPickupObject.SetActive(true);
+                        cachedPickupObject = null;
                     }
                     SetHeldItem(pickup.itemData);
-                    GameObject.Destroy(pickup.gameObject);
+                    // Cache and hide the picked up object
+                    cachedPickupObject = pickup.gameObject;
+                    cachedPickupObject.SetActive(false);
+                    cachedPickupObject.transform.SetParent(this.transform);
                     break;
                 }
             }