diff --git a/src/d_main.c b/src/d_main.c
index e73cb749e..91a42ff14 100644
--- a/src/d_main.c
+++ b/src/d_main.c
@@ -881,7 +881,8 @@ void D_SRB2Loop(void)
 
 		// consoleplayer -> displayplayers (hear sounds from viewpoint)
 		S_UpdateSounds(); // move positional sounds
-		S_UpdateClosedCaptions();
+		if (realtics > 0 || singletics)
+			S_UpdateClosedCaptions();
 
 #ifdef HW3SOUND
 		HW3S_EndFrameUpdate();