diff --git a/src/d_loop.c b/src/d_loop.c
index c9c70337..ac35148e 100644
--- a/src/d_loop.c
+++ b/src/d_loop.c
@@ -747,7 +747,7 @@ void TryRunTics(void)
 
 // [AM] If we've uncapped the framerate and there are no tics
 //      to run, return early instead of waiting around.
-#define return_early (uncapped && counts == 0)
+#define return_early (uncapped && counts == 0 && screenvisible)
 
     // get real tics
     entertic = I_GetTime() / ticdup;