diff --git a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
index 0e21893070..fcdd0bf99e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
@@ -411,6 +411,9 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
 
 void OMW::Engine::activate()
 {
+    if (mEnvironment.mWindowManager->getMode()!=MWGui::GM_Game)
+        return;
+
     std::string handle = mEnvironment.mWorld->getFacedHandle();
 
     if (handle.empty())