diff --git a/src/p_conversation.cpp b/src/p_conversation.cpp
index a8cdf3f293..4a0a77e46e 100644
--- a/src/p_conversation.cpp
+++ b/src/p_conversation.cpp
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ static bool DrawConversationMenu ();
 static void PickConversationReply (int replyindex);
 static void TerminalResponse (const char *str);
 
+CVAR(Bool, dlg_vgafont, false, CVAR_ARCHIVE)
 
 //============================================================================
 //
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/ui/menu/conversationmenu.zs b/wadsrc/static/zscript/ui/menu/conversationmenu.zs
index a51c01d787..3c939d3803 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/ui/menu/conversationmenu.zs
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/ui/menu/conversationmenu.zs
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ class ConversationMenu : Menu
 		mShowGold = false;
 		ConversationPauseTic = gametic + 20;
 		DontDim = true;
-		if (!generic_ui)
+		if (!generic_ui && !dlg_vgafont)
 		{
 			displayFont = SmallFont;
 			displayWidth = CleanWidth;