diff --git a/src/console.c b/src/console.c
index 874fc2a4f..215c1839d 100644
--- a/src/console.c
+++ b/src/console.c
@@ -922,8 +922,6 @@ static void CON_InputDelChar(void)
 //
 boolean CON_Responder(event_t *ev)
 {
-	static UINT8 consdown = false; // console is treated differently due to rare usage
-
 	// sequential completions a la 4dos
 	static char completioncmd[80 + sizeof("find ")] = "find ";
 	static char *completion = &completioncmd[sizeof("find ")-1];
@@ -943,32 +941,28 @@ boolean CON_Responder(event_t *ev)
 	// let go keyup events, don't eat them
 	if (ev->type != ev_keydown && ev->type != ev_text && ev->type != ev_console)
 	{
-		if (ev->key == gamecontrol[GC_CONSOLE][0] || ev->key == gamecontrol[GC_CONSOLE][1])
-			consdown = false;
 		return false;
 	}
 
 	key = ev->key;
 
 	// check for console toggle key
-	if (ev->type != ev_console)
+	if (ev->type == ev_keydown)
 	{
 		if (modeattacking || metalrecording || marathonmode)
 			return false;
 
-		if (ev->type == ev_keydown && ((key == gamecontrol[GC_CONSOLE][0] || key == gamecontrol[GC_CONSOLE][1]) && !shiftdown))
+		if ((key == gamecontrol[GC_CONSOLE][0] || key == gamecontrol[GC_CONSOLE][1]) && !shiftdown)
 		{
-			if (consdown) // ignore repeat
-				return true;
+			I_SetTextInputMode(con_destlines == 0); // inverse, since this is changed next tic.
 			consoletoggle = true;
-			consdown = true;
 			return true;
 		}
 
 		// check other keys only if console prompt is active
 		if (!consoleready && key < NUMINPUTS) // metzgermeister: boundary check!!
 		{
-			if (ev->type == ev_keydown && !menuactive && bindtable[key])
+			if (!menuactive && bindtable[key])
 			{
 				COM_BufAddText(bindtable[key]);
 				COM_BufAddText("\n");
@@ -980,14 +974,14 @@ boolean CON_Responder(event_t *ev)
 		// escape key toggle off console
 		if (key == KEY_ESCAPE)
 		{
+			I_SetTextInputMode(false);
 			consoletoggle = true;
 			return true;
 		}
 	}
-
-	if (ev->type == ev_text)
+	else if (ev->type == ev_text)
 	{
-		if (!consoletoggle)
+		if (!consoletoggle && consoleready)
 			CON_InputAddChar(key);
 		return true;
 	}
diff --git a/src/dedicated/i_system.c b/src/dedicated/i_system.c
index 858dfaf20..413b366b8 100644
--- a/src/dedicated/i_system.c
+++ b/src/dedicated/i_system.c
@@ -1585,5 +1585,15 @@ void I_GetCursorPosition(INT32 *x, INT32 *y)
 	(void)y;
 }
 
+void I_SetTextInputMode(boolean active)
+{
+	(void)active;
+}
+
+boolean I_GetTextInputMode(void)
+{
+	return false;
+}
+
 #include "../sdl/dosstr.c"
 
diff --git a/src/dummy/i_system.c b/src/dummy/i_system.c
index ecabe3576..99bfa9f36 100644
--- a/src/dummy/i_system.c
+++ b/src/dummy/i_system.c
@@ -211,5 +211,15 @@ const char *I_GetSysName(void)
 	return NULL;
 }
 
+void I_SetTextInputMode(boolean active)
+{
+	(void)active;
+}
+
+boolean I_GetTextInputMode(void)
+{
+	return false;
+}
+
 #include "../sdl/dosstr.c"
 
diff --git a/src/hu_stuff.c b/src/hu_stuff.c
index 4e2f3d492..16c59d9cf 100644
--- a/src/hu_stuff.c
+++ b/src/hu_stuff.c
@@ -999,6 +999,7 @@ static void HU_sendChatMessage(void)
 void HU_clearChatChars(void)
 {
 	memset(w_chat, '\0', sizeof(w_chat));
+	I_SetTextInputMode(false);
 	chat_on = false;
 	c_input = 0;
 
@@ -1048,6 +1049,7 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 		if ((ev->key == gamecontrol[GC_TALKKEY][0] || ev->key == gamecontrol[GC_TALKKEY][1])
 			&& netgame && !OLD_MUTE) // check for old chat mute, still let the players open the chat incase they want to scroll otherwise.
 		{
+			I_SetTextInputMode(true);
 			chat_on = true;
 			chat_on_first_event = false;
 			w_chat[0] = 0;
@@ -1059,6 +1061,7 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 		if ((ev->key == gamecontrol[GC_TEAMKEY][0] || ev->key == gamecontrol[GC_TEAMKEY][1])
 			&& netgame && !OLD_MUTE)
 		{
+			I_SetTextInputMode(true);
 			chat_on = true;
 			chat_on_first_event = false;
 			w_chat[0] = 0;
@@ -1133,6 +1136,7 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 			if (!CHAT_MUTE)
 				HU_sendChatMessage();
 
+			I_SetTextInputMode(false);
 			chat_on = false;
 			c_input = 0; // reset input cursor
 			chat_scrollmedown = true; // you hit enter, so you might wanna autoscroll to see what you just sent. :)
@@ -1143,6 +1147,7 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 			|| c == gamecontrol[GC_TEAMKEY][0] || c == gamecontrol[GC_TEAMKEY][1])
 			&& c >= KEY_MOUSE1)) // If it's not a keyboard key, then the chat button is used as a toggle.
 		{
+			I_SetTextInputMode(false);
 			chat_on = false;
 			c_input = 0; // reset input cursor
 			I_UpdateMouseGrab();
diff --git a/src/i_system.h b/src/i_system.h
index 3f0e05d12..f4d169113 100644
--- a/src/i_system.h
+++ b/src/i_system.h
@@ -339,4 +339,12 @@ void I_SetMouseGrab(boolean grab);
 */
 const char *I_GetSysName(void);
 
+/** \brief Sets text input mode. When enabled, keyboard inputs will respect dead keys.
+ */
+void I_SetTextInputMode(boolean active);
+
+/** \brief Retrieves current text input mode.
+ */
+boolean I_GetTextInputMode(void);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/m_menu.c b/src/m_menu.c
index 500113475..b31c7da94 100644
--- a/src/m_menu.c
+++ b/src/m_menu.c
@@ -2102,6 +2102,12 @@ menu_t OP_PlaystyleDef = {
 	0, 0, 0, NULL
 };
 
+static void M_UpdateItemOn(void)
+{
+	I_SetTextInputMode((currentMenu->menuitems[itemOn].status & IT_CVARTYPE) == IT_CV_STRING ||
+		(currentMenu->menuitems[itemOn].status & IT_TYPE) == IT_KEYHANDLER);
+}
+
 static void M_VideoOptions(INT32 choice)
 {
 	(void)choice;
@@ -2329,6 +2335,7 @@ void Nextmap_OnChange(void)
 		{
 			currentMenu->lastOn = itemOn;
 			itemOn = nastart;
+			M_UpdateItemOn();
 		}
 	}
 	else if (currentMenu == &SP_TimeAttackDef)
@@ -2378,6 +2385,7 @@ void Nextmap_OnChange(void)
 		{
 			currentMenu->lastOn = itemOn;
 			itemOn = tastart;
+			M_UpdateItemOn();
 		}
 
 		if (mapheaderinfo[cv_nextmap.value-1] && mapheaderinfo[cv_nextmap.value-1]->forcecharacter[0] != '\0')
@@ -3128,6 +3136,7 @@ static void M_NextOpt(void)
 		else
 			itemOn++;
 	} while (oldItemOn != itemOn && ( (currentMenu->menuitems[itemOn].status & IT_TYPE) & IT_SPACE ));
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 }
 
 static void M_PrevOpt(void)
@@ -3140,6 +3149,7 @@ static void M_PrevOpt(void)
 		else
 			itemOn--;
 	} while (oldItemOn != itemOn && ( (currentMenu->menuitems[itemOn].status & IT_TYPE) & IT_SPACE ));
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 }
 
 // lock out further input in a tic when important buttons are pressed
@@ -3651,12 +3661,14 @@ void M_StartControlPanel(void)
 
 		currentMenu = &MainDef;
 		itemOn = singleplr;
+		M_UpdateItemOn();
 	}
 	else if (modeattacking)
 	{
 		currentMenu = &MAPauseDef;
 		MAPauseMenu[mapause_hints].status = (M_SecretUnlocked(SECRET_EMBLEMHINTS, clientGamedata)) ? (IT_STRING | IT_CALL) : (IT_DISABLED);
 		itemOn = mapause_continue;
+		M_UpdateItemOn();
 	}
 	else if (!(netgame || multiplayer)) // Single Player
 	{
@@ -3703,6 +3715,7 @@ void M_StartControlPanel(void)
 
 		currentMenu = &SPauseDef;
 		itemOn = spause_continue;
+		M_UpdateItemOn();
 	}
 	else // multiplayer
 	{
@@ -3744,6 +3757,7 @@ void M_StartControlPanel(void)
 
 		currentMenu = &MPauseDef;
 		itemOn = mpause_continue;
+		M_UpdateItemOn();
 	}
 
 	CON_ToggleOff(); // move away console
@@ -3837,6 +3851,7 @@ void M_SetupNextMenu(menu_t *menudef)
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 
 	hidetitlemap = false;
 }
@@ -6109,6 +6124,7 @@ void M_StartMessage(const char *string, void *routine, menumessagetype_t itemtyp
 
 	currentMenu = &MessageDef;
 	itemOn = 0;
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 }
 
 static void M_DrawMessageMenu(void)
@@ -6183,6 +6199,7 @@ static void M_HandleImageDef(INT32 choice)
 			if (itemOn >= (INT16)(currentMenu->numitems-1))
 				itemOn = 0;
             else itemOn++;
+			M_UpdateItemOn();
 			break;
 
 		case KEY_LEFTARROW:
@@ -6193,6 +6210,7 @@ static void M_HandleImageDef(INT32 choice)
 			if (!itemOn)
 				itemOn = currentMenu->numitems - 1;
 			else itemOn--;
+			M_UpdateItemOn();
 			break;
 
 		case KEY_ESCAPE:
@@ -7389,6 +7407,7 @@ static void M_EmblemHints(INT32 choice)
 	SR_EmblemHintDef.prevMenu = currentMenu;
 	M_SetupNextMenu(&SR_EmblemHintDef);
 	itemOn = 2; // always start on back.
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 }
 
 static void M_DrawEmblemHints(void)
@@ -10050,6 +10069,7 @@ static void M_TimeAttack(INT32 choice)
 		Nextmap_OnChange();
 
 	itemOn = tastart; // "Start" is selected.
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 }
 
 // Drawing function for Nights Attack
@@ -10288,6 +10308,7 @@ static void M_NightsAttack(INT32 choice)
 		Nextmap_OnChange();
 
 	itemOn = nastart; // "Start" is selected.
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 }
 
 // Player has selected the "START" from the nights attack screen
@@ -10607,6 +10628,7 @@ static void M_ModeAttackEndGame(INT32 choice)
 		break;
 	}
 	itemOn = currentMenu->lastOn;
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 	G_SetGamestate(GS_TIMEATTACK);
 	modeattacking = ATTACKING_NONE;
 	M_ChangeMenuMusic("_title", true);
@@ -10688,6 +10710,7 @@ static void M_Marathon(INT32 choice)
 	titlemapinaction = TITLEMAP_OFF; // Nope don't give us HOMs please
 	M_SetupNextMenu(&SP_MarathonDef);
 	itemOn = marathonstart; // "Start" is selected.
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 	recatkdrawtimer = (50-8) * FRACUNIT;
 	char_scroll = 0;
 }
@@ -11401,6 +11424,7 @@ static void M_ConnectMenu(INT32 choice)
 	else
 		M_SetupNextMenu(&MP_ConnectDef);
 	itemOn = 0;
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 	M_Refresh(0);
 }
 
@@ -11660,6 +11684,7 @@ static void M_StartServerMenu(INT32 choice)
 	Newgametype_OnChange();
 	M_SetupNextMenu(&MP_ServerDef);
 	itemOn = 1;
+	M_UpdateItemOn();
 }
 
 // ==============
@@ -13071,7 +13096,10 @@ static void M_SetupScreenshotMenu(void)
 	{
 		item->status = IT_GRAYEDOUT;
 		if ((currentMenu == &OP_ScreenshotOptionsDef) && (itemOn == op_screenshot_colorprofile)) // Can't select that
+		{
 			itemOn = op_screenshot_storagelocation;
+			M_UpdateItemOn();
+		}
 	}
 	else
 #endif
diff --git a/src/sdl/i_main.c b/src/sdl/i_main.c
index f5fe9fb04..b2177e563 100644
--- a/src/sdl/i_main.c
+++ b/src/sdl/i_main.c
@@ -186,6 +186,9 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 #endif
 #endif
 
+	// disable text input right off the bat, since we don't need it at the start.
+	I_SetTextInputMode(false);
+
 #ifdef LOGMESSAGES
 	if (!M_CheckParm("-nolog"))
 		InitLogging();
diff --git a/src/sdl/i_system.c b/src/sdl/i_system.c
index 2d051888d..115b900f5 100644
--- a/src/sdl/i_system.c
+++ b/src/sdl/i_system.c
@@ -3275,4 +3275,18 @@ const char *I_GetSysName(void)
 	return SDL_GetPlatform();
 }
 
+
+void I_SetTextInputMode(boolean active)
+{
+	if (active)
+		SDL_StartTextInput();
+	else
+		SDL_StopTextInput();
+}
+
+boolean I_GetTextInputMode(void)
+{
+	return SDL_IsTextInputActive();
+}
+
 #endif