diff --git a/reaction/README b/reaction/README
index c19e28d7..4b4260c1 100644
--- a/reaction/README
+++ b/reaction/README
@@ -273,6 +273,8 @@ New cvars
                                       captured using screenshotJPEG
   r_aviMotionJpegQuality            - Controls quality of video capture when
                                       cl_aviMotionJpeg is enabled
+  r_mode -2                         - This new video mode automatically uses the
+                                      desktop resolution.
 
 New commands
   video [filename]        - start video capture (use with demo command)
diff --git a/reaction/code/sdl/sdl_glimp.c b/reaction/code/sdl/sdl_glimp.c
index d4f5afd8..db836526 100644
--- a/reaction/code/sdl/sdl_glimp.c
+++ b/reaction/code/sdl/sdl_glimp.c
@@ -250,13 +250,23 @@ static int GLimp_SetMode(int mode, qboolean fullscreen, qboolean noborder)
 
 	ri.Printf (PRINT_ALL, "...setting mode %d:", mode );
 
-	if (mode == -2)
+        if (mode == -2)
 	{
-		glConfig.vidWidth = videoInfo->current_w;
-		glConfig.vidHeight = videoInfo->current_h;
-		glConfig.windowAspect = displayAspect;
-		fullscreen = qtrue;
-		noborder = qtrue;
+		// use desktop video resolution
+		if( videoInfo->current_h > 0 )
+		{
+			glConfig.vidWidth = videoInfo->current_w;
+			glConfig.vidHeight = videoInfo->current_h;
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			glConfig.vidWidth = 480;
+			glConfig.vidHeight = 640;
+			ri.Printf( PRINT_ALL,
+					"Cannot determine display resolution, assuming 640x480\n" );
+		}
+
+		glConfig.windowAspect = (float)glConfig.vidWidth / (float)glConfig.vidHeight;
 	}
 	else if ( !R_GetModeInfo( &glConfig.vidWidth, &glConfig.vidHeight, &glConfig.windowAspect, mode ) )
 	{