diff --git a/engine/client/s_main.c b/engine/client/s_main.c
index 2feeb81b..28191b84 100644
--- a/engine/client/s_main.c
+++ b/engine/client/s_main.c
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ CVAR_DEFINE_AUTO( s_lerping, "0", FCVAR_ARCHIVE|FCVAR_FILTERABLE, "apply interpo
 static CVAR_DEFINE( s_ambient_level, "ambient_level", "0.3", FCVAR_ARCHIVE|FCVAR_FILTERABLE, "volume of environment noises (water and wind)" );
 static CVAR_DEFINE( s_ambient_fade, "ambient_fade", "1000", FCVAR_ARCHIVE|FCVAR_FILTERABLE, "rate of volume fading when client is moving" );
 static CVAR_DEFINE_AUTO( s_combine_sounds, "0", FCVAR_ARCHIVE|FCVAR_FILTERABLE, "combine channels with same sounds" );
-CVAR_DEFINE_AUTO( snd_mute_losefocus, "1", FCVAR_ARCHIVE|FCVAR_FILTERABLE, "silence the audio when game window loses focus" );
+static CVAR_DEFINE_AUTO( snd_mute_losefocus, "1", FCVAR_ARCHIVE|FCVAR_FILTERABLE, "silence the audio when game window loses focus" );
 CVAR_DEFINE_AUTO( s_test, "0", 0, "engine developer cvar for quick testing new features" );
 CVAR_DEFINE_AUTO( s_samplecount, "0", FCVAR_ARCHIVE|FCVAR_FILTERABLE, "sample count (0 for default value)" );
 CVAR_DEFINE_AUTO( s_warn_late_precache, "0", FCVAR_ARCHIVE|FCVAR_FILTERABLE, "warn about late precached sounds on client-side" );
@@ -64,6 +64,12 @@ float S_GetMasterVolume( void )
 {
 	float	scale = 1.0f;
 
+	if( host.status == HOST_NOFOCUS && snd_mute_losefocus.value != 0.0f )
+	{
+		// we return zero volume to keep sounds running
+		return 0.0f;
+	}
+
 	if( !s_listener.inmenu && soundfade.percent != 0 )
 	{
 		scale = bound( 0.0f, soundfade.percent / 100.0f, 1.0f );
diff --git a/engine/client/sound.h b/engine/client/sound.h
index 7e581cbc..06bcc0d4 100644
--- a/engine/client/sound.h
+++ b/engine/client/sound.h
@@ -221,7 +221,6 @@ extern convar_t	s_musicvolume;
 extern convar_t	s_lerping;
 extern convar_t	s_test;		// cvar to testify new effects
 extern convar_t s_samplecount;
-extern convar_t snd_mute_losefocus;
 extern convar_t s_warn_late_precache;
 
 void S_InitScaletable( void );
diff --git a/engine/platform/sdl/events.c b/engine/platform/sdl/events.c
index 7e7f9b28..3c31eb84 100644
--- a/engine/platform/sdl/events.c
+++ b/engine/platform/sdl/events.c
@@ -374,14 +374,8 @@ static void SDLash_ActiveEvent( int gain )
 	{
 		host.status = HOST_FRAME;
 		if( cls.key_dest == key_game )
-		{
 			IN_ActivateMouse( );
-		}
 
-		if( dma.initialized && snd_mute_losefocus.value )
-		{
-			SNDDMA_Activate( true );
-		}
 		host.force_draw_version_time = host.realtime + FORCE_DRAW_VERSION_TIME;
 		if( vid_fullscreen.value == WINDOW_MODE_FULLSCREEN )
 			VID_SetMode();
@@ -397,14 +391,8 @@ static void SDLash_ActiveEvent( int gain )
 #endif
 		host.status = HOST_NOFOCUS;
 		if( cls.key_dest == key_game )
-		{
 			IN_DeactivateMouse();
-		}
 
-		if( dma.initialized && snd_mute_losefocus.value )
-		{
-			SNDDMA_Activate( false );
-		}
 		host.force_draw_version_time = host.realtime + 2.0;
 		VID_RestoreScreenResolution();
 	}