diff --git a/freespace2/freespace.cpp b/freespace2/freespace.cpp
index be6ddf71d60..5cfd17526bb 100644
--- a/freespace2/freespace.cpp
+++ b/freespace2/freespace.cpp
@@ -4753,6 +4753,11 @@ int game_check_key()
 
 bool pause_if_unfocused()
 {
+	// nobody is at the keyboard in a noninteractive run, so losing focus must not stop it
+	if (Cmdline_noninteractive) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
 	if (Using_in_game_options) {
 		return UnfocusedPauseOption->getValue();
 	} else {