diff --git a/jquery.nestable.js b/jquery.nestable.js
index 7323fb4..b31ec0e 100644
--- a/jquery.nestable.js
+++ b/jquery.nestable.js
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@
                 target   = $(e.target),
                 dragItem = target.closest(this.options.itemNodeName);
 
-            this.placeEl.css('height', dragItem.height());
+            this.placeEl.css('height', dragItem.outerHeight());
 
             mouse.offsetX = e.offsetX !== undefined ? e.offsetX : e.pageX - target.offset().left;
             mouse.offsetY = e.offsetY !== undefined ? e.offsetY : e.pageY - target.offset().top;