Trait Mortalitasi not working as advertised

The trait description is "Actions that consume mana now consume health when mana is depleted".  However, this only works for the ranged beam attack, and charging staff energy (by holding down the heavy attack key when staff energy is not at full).  Using abilities will not use health if the player lacks sufficient mana or even if mana is completely empty.  Instead, trying to use the ability causes the on-screen error "not enough mana".  If the trait is only meant to apply to attacks, or specifically exclude abilities, it should state that, and if not, it should also apply to abilities, with any mana cost the ability requires that the player doesn't have simply deducted from HP instead.