diff --git a/misc_gui.c b/misc_gui.c
index a0b5e1eacd..a111ccbe25 100644
--- a/misc_gui.c
+++ b/misc_gui.c
@@ -1116,6 +1116,9 @@ static void SaveLoadDlgWndProc(Window *w, WindowEvent *e)
 		}
 		break;
 	case WE_DESTROY:
+		// pause is only used in single-player, non-editor mode
+		if(!_networking && (_game_mode != GM_EDITOR))
+			DoCommandP(0, 0, 0, NULL, CMD_PAUSE);
 		_query_string_active = false;
 		FiosFreeSavegameList();
 		break;
@@ -1189,6 +1192,10 @@ void ShowSaveLoadDialog(int mode)
 		strcpy(_edit_str_buf, "UNNAMED");
 	}
 
+	// pause is only used in single-player, non-editor mode
+	if(_game_mode != GM_MENU && !_networking && (_game_mode != GM_EDITOR))
+		DoCommandP(0, 1, 0, NULL, CMD_PAUSE);
+
 	BuildFileList();
 
 	ResetObjectToPlace();