diff --git a/ios/src/SceneAsset.cpp b/ios/src/SceneAsset.cpp
index a8e972cf..38176038 100644
--- a/ios/src/SceneAsset.cpp
+++ b/ios/src/SceneAsset.cpp
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ void SceneAsset::transformToUnitCube() {
 void SceneAsset::updateTransform() {
   auto &tm = _engine->getTransformManager();
   auto transform = 
-      math::mat4f::scaling(_scale) * _position * _rotation;
+      _position * _rotation * math::mat4f::scaling(_scale);
   tm.setTransform(tm.getInstance(_asset->getRoot()), transform);
 }
 
diff --git a/ios/src/SceneAsset.hpp b/ios/src/SceneAsset.hpp
index 61e33a55..4305a0be 100644
--- a/ios/src/SceneAsset.hpp
+++ b/ios/src/SceneAsset.hpp
@@ -108,8 +108,12 @@ namespace polyvox {
             // a slot to preload textures
             filament::Texture* _texture = nullptr;
 
+            // initialized to identity
             math::mat4f _position;
+            
+            // initialized to identity
             math::mat4f _rotation;
+            
             float _scale = 1;
 
             void updateTransform();