diff --git a/src/coders/vcm.cpp b/src/coders/vcm.cpp
index 260657338..bf9a152a6 100644
--- a/src/coders/vcm.cpp
+++ b/src/coders/vcm.cpp
@@ -192,7 +192,12 @@ static void perform_rect(const xmlelement& root, ModelBuilder& builder) {
     }
     std::string texture = root.attr("texture", "$0").getText();
 
-    auto normal = glm::cross(glm::normalize(right), glm::normalize(up));
+    glm::vec3 normal;
+    if (root.has("normal")) {
+        normal = root.attr("normal").asVec3();
+    } else {
+        normal = glm::cross(glm::normalize(right), glm::normalize(up));
+    }
     builder.addRect(
         texture,
         shading,