diff --git a/src/backends/generic/misc.c b/src/backends/generic/misc.c
index c9a4b5fb..c5e280cb 100644
--- a/src/backends/generic/misc.c
+++ b/src/backends/generic/misc.c
@@ -154,3 +154,26 @@ const char *Sys_GetBinaryDir(void)
 
 	return exeDir;
 }
+
+#if defined (__GNUC__) && (__i386 || __x86_64__)
+void Sys_SetupFPU(void) {
+	// Get current x87 control word
+	volatile unsigned short old_cw = 0;
+	asm ("fstcw %0" : : "m" (*&old_cw));
+	unsigned short new_cw = old_cw;
+
+	// The precision is set through bit 8 and 9. For
+	// double precision bit 8 must unset and bit 9 set.
+	new_cw &= ~(1 << 8);
+	new_cw |= (1 << 9);
+
+	// Setting the control word is expensive since it
+	// resets the FPU state. Do it only if necessary.
+	if (new_cw != old_cw) {
+		asm ("fldcw %0" : : "m" (*&new_cw));
+	}
+}
+#else
+void Sys_SetupFPU(void) {
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/src/backends/unix/main.c b/src/backends/unix/main.c
index 0ff80d2d..ca5e1455 100644
--- a/src/backends/unix/main.c
+++ b/src/backends/unix/main.c
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	/* register signal handler */
 	registerHandler();
 
+	/* Setup FPU if necessary */
+	Sys_SetupFPU();
+
 	/* Are we portable? */
 	for (i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
 		if (strcmp(argv[i], "-portable") == 0) {
diff --git a/src/backends/windows/system.c b/src/backends/windows/system.c
index 4a758174..94c42673 100644
--- a/src/backends/windows/system.c
+++ b/src/backends/windows/system.c
@@ -785,6 +785,9 @@ WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
 	/* Make the current instance global */
 	global_hInstance = hInstance;
 
+	/* Setup FPU if necessary */
+	Sys_SetupFPU();
+
 	/* Force DPI awareness */
 	Sys_SetHighDPIMode();
 
diff --git a/src/common/header/common.h b/src/common/header/common.h
index 95aa87f8..c192f3d3 100644
--- a/src/common/header/common.h
+++ b/src/common/header/common.h
@@ -773,6 +773,7 @@ void Sys_FreeLibrary(void *handle);
 void *Sys_LoadLibrary(const char *path, const char *sym, void **handle);
 void *Sys_GetProcAddress(void *handle, const char *sym);
 void Sys_RedirectStdout(void);
+void Sys_SetupFPU(void);
 
 /* CLIENT / SERVER SYSTEMS */