diff --git a/scripts/api/entity/spaceship.lua b/scripts/api/entity/spaceship.lua
index 1415dd5e9..6fab9e9bc 100644
--- a/scripts/api/entity/spaceship.lua
+++ b/scripts/api/entity/spaceship.lua
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@ end
 function Entity:setBeamWeaponTurret(index, arc, direction, rotation_rate)
     if self.components.beam_weapons == nil or #self.components.beam_weapons <= index then return self end
     self.components.beam_weapons[index + 1].turret_arc = arc
-    self.components.beam_weapons[index + 1].turret_direction = arc
+    self.components.beam_weapons[index + 1].turret_direction = direction
     self.components.beam_weapons[index + 1].turret_rotation_rate = rotation_rate
     return self
 end
diff --git a/scripts/api/shipTemplate.lua b/scripts/api/shipTemplate.lua
index 035bf56da..84a1e0fd7 100644
--- a/scripts/api/shipTemplate.lua
+++ b/scripts/api/shipTemplate.lua
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ end
 --- template:setBeamWeaponTurret(0,200,90,5)
 function ShipTemplate:setBeamWeaponTurret(index, arc, direction, rotation_rate)
     self.beam_weapons[index + 1].turret_arc = arc
-    self.beam_weapons[index + 1].turret_direction = arc
+    self.beam_weapons[index + 1].turret_direction = direction
     self.beam_weapons[index + 1].turret_rotation_rate = rotation_rate
     return self
 end