diff --git a/code/client/snd_main.c b/code/client/snd_main.c
index f0bce67b..f9e6941f 100644
--- a/code/client/snd_main.c
+++ b/code/client/snd_main.c
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ void S_Init( void )
 		Cmd_AddCommand( "s_stop", S_StopAllSounds );
 		Cmd_AddCommand( "s_info", S_SoundInfo );
 
-		cv = Cvar_Get( "s_useOpenAL", "1", CVAR_ARCHIVE );
+		cv = Cvar_Get( "s_useOpenAL", "1", CVAR_ARCHIVE | CVAR_LATCH );
 		if( cv->integer ) {
 			//OpenAL
 			started = S_AL_Init( &si );