diff --git a/src/g_game.c b/src/g_game.c
index f7e7ae75a..79c09f6b1 100644
--- a/src/g_game.c
+++ b/src/g_game.c
@@ -1653,6 +1653,7 @@ void G_DoLoadLevel(boolean resetplayer)
 }
 
 INT32 pausedelay = 0;
+boolean pausebreakkey = false;
 static INT32 camtoggledelay, camtoggledelay2 = 0;
 
 //
@@ -1805,6 +1806,7 @@ boolean G_Responder(event_t *ev)
 			{
 				if (modeattacking && !demoplayback && (gamestate == GS_LEVEL))
 				{
+					pausebreakkey = (ev->data1 == KEY_PAUSE);
 					if (menuactive || pausedelay < 0 || leveltime < 2)
 						return true;
 
diff --git a/src/g_game.h b/src/g_game.h
index dc0c3619d..1e30831d8 100644
--- a/src/g_game.h
+++ b/src/g_game.h
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ extern INT32 gameovertics;
 extern tic_t timeinmap; // Ticker for time spent in level (used for levelcard display)
 extern INT16 rw_maximums[NUM_WEAPONS];
 extern INT32 pausedelay;
+extern boolean pausebreakkey;
 
 // used in game menu
 extern consvar_t cv_tutorialprompt;
diff --git a/src/hu_stuff.c b/src/hu_stuff.c
index 26e50885a..6e17b939d 100644
--- a/src/hu_stuff.c
+++ b/src/hu_stuff.c
@@ -1132,7 +1132,7 @@ void HU_Drawer(void)
 		V_DrawCenteredString(BASEVIDWIDTH/2, 180, V_YELLOWMAP | V_ALLOWLOWERCASE, resynch_text);
 	}
 
-	if (modeattacking && pausedelay > 0)
+	if (modeattacking && pausedelay > 0 && !pausebreakkey)
 	{
 		INT32 strength = ((pausedelay - 1 - NEWTICRATE/2)*10)/(NEWTICRATE/3);
 		INT32 y = hudinfo[HUD_LIVES].y - 13;