diff --git a/src/console.c b/src/console.c
index 9af9eb9a8..fb023c67e 100644
--- a/src/console.c
+++ b/src/console.c
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@ static void CON_RecalcSize(void);
 static void CON_ChangeHeight(void);
 
 static void CON_DrawBackpic(void);
+static void CONS_height_Change(void);
 static void CONS_hudlines_Change(void);
 static void CONS_backcolor_Change(void);
 
@@ -136,7 +137,7 @@ static CV_PossibleValue_t speed_cons_t[] = {{0, "MIN"}, {64, "MAX"}, {0, NULL}};
 static consvar_t cons_speed = CVAR_INIT ("con_speed", "8", CV_SAVE, speed_cons_t, NULL);
 
 // percentage of screen height to use for console
-static consvar_t cons_height = CVAR_INIT ("con_height", "50", CV_SAVE, CV_Unsigned, NULL);
+static consvar_t cons_height = CVAR_INIT ("con_height", "50", CV_CALL|CV_SAVE, CV_Unsigned, CONS_height_Change);
 
 static CV_PossibleValue_t backpic_cons_t[] = {{0, "translucent"}, {1, "picture"}, {0, NULL}};
 // whether to use console background picture, or translucent mode
@@ -156,6 +157,18 @@ consvar_t cons_backcolor = CVAR_INIT ("con_backcolor", "Green", CV_CALL|CV_SAVE,
 
 static void CON_Print(char *msg);
 
+// Change the console height on demand
+//
+static void CONS_height_Change(void)
+{
+	Lock_state();
+
+	if (con_destlines > 0 && !con_startup) // If the console is open (as in, not using "bind")...
+		CON_ChangeHeight(); // ...update its height now, not only when it's closed and re-opened
+
+	Unlock_state();
+}
+
 //
 //
 static void CONS_hudlines_Change(void)