diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
index 33ce9346bf..bc414401f0 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ namespace MWRender
         resourceSystem->getSceneManager()->setParticleSystemMask(MWRender::Mask_ParticleSystem);
 
         resourceSystem->getSceneManager()->setShaderPath(resourcePath + "/shaders");
-        resourceSystem->getSceneManager()->setForceShaders(Settings::Manager::getBool("force shaders", "Shaders"));
+        resourceSystem->getSceneManager()->setForceShaders(Settings::Manager::getBool("force shaders", "Shaders") || Settings::Manager::getBool("enable shadows", "Shadows")); // Shadows have problems with fixed-function mode
         resourceSystem->getSceneManager()->setClampLighting(Settings::Manager::getBool("clamp lighting", "Shaders"));
         resourceSystem->getSceneManager()->setForcePerPixelLighting(Settings::Manager::getBool("force per pixel lighting", "Shaders"));
         resourceSystem->getSceneManager()->setAutoUseNormalMaps(Settings::Manager::getBool("auto use object normal maps", "Shaders"));
diff --git a/docs/source/reference/modding/settings/shadows.rst b/docs/source/reference/modding/settings/shadows.rst
index 8e3b79c003..4dac6a88b1 100644
--- a/docs/source/reference/modding/settings/shadows.rst
+++ b/docs/source/reference/modding/settings/shadows.rst
@@ -13,9 +13,8 @@ enable shadows
 
 Enable or disable the rendering of shadows.
 Unlike in the original Morrowind engine, 'Shadow Mapping' is used, which can have a performance impact, but has more realistic results.
-When used in fixed-function mode, shadowed regions will appear completely black.
-To prevent this, enable :ref:`force-shaders-label`.
-A keen developer may be able to implement something better using the advice of `this post <https://github.com/OpenMW/openmw/pull/1547#issuecomment-369657381>`_, but it may be more difficult than it seems.
+Bear in mind that this will force OpenMW to use shaders as if :ref:`force-shaders-label` was enabled.
+A keen developer may be able to implement compatibility with fixed-function mode using the advice of `this post <https://github.com/OpenMW/openmw/pull/1547#issuecomment-369657381>`_, but it may be more difficult than it seems.
 
 
 number of shadow maps
diff --git a/files/settings-default.cfg b/files/settings-default.cfg
index ee102af520..c0283b3785 100644
--- a/files/settings-default.cfg
+++ b/files/settings-default.cfg
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ companion w = 0.38
 companion h = 0.63
 
 [Shadows]
-# Enable or disable shadows. Bear in mind that when used without "[Shaders]/force shaders" set to true (i.e. objects and terrain are rendered in fixed-function mode) shadowed areas will be completely black. As such, it is recommended to use this feature in conjunction with shaders.
+# Enable or disable shadows. Bear in mind that this will force OpenMW to use shaders as if "[Shaders]/force shaders" was set to true.
 enable shadows = false
 # How many shadow maps to use - more of these means each shadow map texel covers less area, producing better looking shadows, but may decrease performance.
 number of shadow maps = 1