diff --git a/gfx/video_driver.c b/gfx/video_driver.c
index e682147593..b32c2a693a 100644
--- a/gfx/video_driver.c
+++ b/gfx/video_driver.c
@@ -2307,6 +2307,8 @@ void video_driver_build_info(video_frame_info_t *video_info)
    if (!settings->menu.pause_libretro)
       video_info->libretro_running    = (rarch_ctl(RARCH_CTL_IS_INITED, NULL)
             && !rarch_ctl(RARCH_CTL_IS_DUMMY_CORE, NULL));
+   else if (!video_info->menu_is_alive)
+      video_info->libretro_running    = true;
 #else
    video_info->menu_is_alive          = false;
    video_info->menu_footer_opacity    = 0.0f;