diff --git a/doc/040_cvarlist.md b/doc/040_cvarlist.md
index 76d9aabf..5c6857ab 100644
--- a/doc/040_cvarlist.md
+++ b/doc/040_cvarlist.md
@@ -275,6 +275,8 @@ Set `0` by default.
   `-1`: Disable reverb effect,
   `>=0`: select predefined effect.
 
+* **cl_audiopaused**: If set to `1` the sounds pause when the game does.
+
 ## Graphics (all renderers)
 
 * **cin_force43**: If set to `1` (the default) cinematics are displayed
diff --git a/src/client/cl_main.c b/src/client/cl_main.c
index 4f1565b6..d05eb249 100644
--- a/src/client/cl_main.c
+++ b/src/client/cl_main.c
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ cvar_t *cl_showclamp;
 
 cvar_t *cl_paused;
 cvar_t *cl_loadpaused;
+cvar_t *cl_audiopaused;
 
 cvar_t *cl_lightlevel;
 cvar_t *cl_r1q2_lightstyle;
@@ -517,6 +518,7 @@ CL_InitLocal(void)
 	cl_timeout = Cvar_Get("cl_timeout", "120", 0);
 	cl_paused = Cvar_Get("paused", "0", 0);
 	cl_loadpaused = Cvar_Get("cl_loadpaused", "1", CVAR_ARCHIVE);
+	cl_audiopaused = Cvar_Get("cl_audiopaused", "1", CVAR_ARCHIVE);
 
 	gl1_stereo = Cvar_Get( "gl1_stereo", "0", CVAR_ARCHIVE );
 	gl1_stereo_separation = Cvar_Get( "gl1_stereo_separation", "1", CVAR_ARCHIVE );
diff --git a/src/client/header/client.h b/src/client/header/client.h
index 21d24331..d199e748 100644
--- a/src/client/header/client.h
+++ b/src/client/header/client.h
@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ extern	cvar_t	*freelook;
 extern	cvar_t	*cl_lightlevel;
 extern	cvar_t	*cl_paused;
 extern	cvar_t	*cl_loadpaused;
+extern  cvar_t  *cl_audiopaused;
 extern	cvar_t	*cl_timedemo;
 extern	cvar_t	*cl_vwep;
 extern	cvar_t  *horplus;
diff --git a/src/client/sound/openal.c b/src/client/sound/openal.c
index 77a1dd56..cf20851c 100644
--- a/src/client/sound/openal.c
+++ b/src/client/sound/openal.c
@@ -854,11 +854,12 @@ AL_AddLoopSounds(void)
 	int num;
 	entity_state_t *ent;
 
-	if ((cls.state != ca_active) || cl_paused->value || !s_ambient->value)
+	if ((cls.state != ca_active) || (cl_paused->value && cl_audiopaused->value) || !s_ambient->value)
 	{
 		return;
 	}
 
+	memset(&sounds, 0, sizeof(int) * MAX_EDICTS);
 	S_BuildSoundList(sounds);
 
 	for (i = 0; i < cl.frame.num_entities; i++)
diff --git a/src/client/sound/sdl.c b/src/client/sound/sdl.c
index 1588695a..c6ad1f73 100644
--- a/src/client/sound/sdl.c
+++ b/src/client/sound/sdl.c
@@ -687,17 +687,8 @@ SDL_AddLoopSounds(void)
 	int num;
 	entity_state_t *ent;
 
-	if (cl_paused->value)
-	{
-		return;
-	}
-
-	if (cls.state != ca_active)
-	{
-		return;
-	}
-
-	if (!cl.sound_prepped || !s_ambient->value)
+	if ((cls.state != ca_active) || (cl_paused->value && cl_audiopaused->value) ||
+	    !cl.sound_prepped || !s_ambient->value)
 	{
 		return;
 	}