diff --git a/code/client/snd_openal.c b/code/client/snd_openal.c
index e42fc894..2ba07038 100644
--- a/code/client/snd_openal.c
+++ b/code/client/snd_openal.c
@@ -2521,7 +2521,9 @@ qboolean S_AL_Init( soundInterface_t *si )
 	if( !QAL_Init( s_alDriver->string ) )
 	{
 		Com_Printf( "Failed to load library: \"%s\".\n", s_alDriver->string );
-		return qfalse;
+		if( !Q_stricmp( s_alDriver->string, ALDRIVER_DEFAULT ) || !QAL_Init( ALDRIVER_DEFAULT ) ) {
+			return qfalse;
+		}
 	}
 
 	device = s_alDevice->string;