diff --git a/level_state.lua b/level_state.lua
index 08d307c..098f9a9 100644
--- a/level_state.lua
+++ b/level_state.lua
@@ -138,9 +138,7 @@ function level_state:update(dt)
 		return value
 	    end
 	    
-	    local rotation = getAxis(AXISMAP[player].rotation[1]) + getAxis(AXISMAP[player].rotation[2])
-	    local throttle = getAxis(AXISMAP[player].throttle[1]) + getAxis(AXISMAP[player].throttle[2])
-	    players[player]:joystick(rotation, throttle)
+	    players[player]:joystick(getRotation(j, player), getThrottle(j, player))
 	end
     end
     
diff --git a/utils.lua b/utils.lua
index bc16ddd..d7f65ee 100644
--- a/utils.lua
+++ b/utils.lua
@@ -102,3 +102,22 @@ function getJoystickButtons(j)
     end
     return buttons
 end
+
+function getJoystickAxis(joystick, info)
+    local value = 0
+    if info.axis > 0 and joystick:getAxisCount() >= info.axis then
+	value = joystick:getAxis(info.axis)
+	if info.flipped then
+	    value = -value
+	end
+    end
+    return value
+end
+
+function getRotation(joystick, player)
+    return getJoystickAxis(joystick, AXISMAP[player].rotation[1]) + getJoystickAxis(joystick, AXISMAP[player].rotation[2])	
+end
+
+function getThrottle(joystick, player)
+    return getJoystickAxis(joystick, AXISMAP[player].throttle[1]) + getJoystickAxis(joystick, AXISMAP[player].throttle[2])
+end