diff --git a/src/c_cvars.cpp b/src/c_cvars.cpp
index 5be8a28a74..43572fe77d 100644
--- a/src/c_cvars.cpp
+++ b/src/c_cvars.cpp
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(_CVar, SetInt)
 		// Only menus are allowed to change non-mod CVARs.
 		if (DMenu::InMenu == 0)
 		{
-			I_FatalError("Attempt to change CVAR '%s' outside of menu code", self->GetName());
+			ThrowAbortException(X_OTHER, "Attempt to change CVAR '%s' outside of menu code", self->GetName());
 		}
 	}
 	PARAM_INT(val);
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(_CVar, SetFloat)
 		// Only menus are allowed to change non-mod CVARs.
 		if (DMenu::InMenu == 0)
 		{
-			I_FatalError("Attempt to change CVAR '%s' outside of menu code", self->GetName());
+			ThrowAbortException(X_OTHER, "Attempt to change CVAR '%s' outside of menu code", self->GetName());
 		}
 	}
 	PARAM_FLOAT(val);
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(_CVar, SetString)
 		// Only menus are allowed to change non-mod CVARs.
 		if (DMenu::InMenu == 0)
 		{
-			I_FatalError("Attempt to change CVAR '%s' outside of menu code", self->GetName());
+			ThrowAbortException(X_OTHER, "Attempt to change CVAR '%s' outside of menu code", self->GetName());
 		}
 	}
 	PARAM_STRING(val);
@@ -1161,6 +1161,15 @@ void FBaseCVar::ResetToDefault ()
 DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(_CVar, ResetToDefault)
 {
 	PARAM_SELF_STRUCT_PROLOGUE(FBaseCVar);
+	if (!(self->GetFlags() & CVAR_MOD))
+	{
+		// Only menus are allowed to change non-mod CVARs.
+		if (DMenu::InMenu == 0)
+		{
+			ThrowAbortException(X_OTHER, "Attempt to change CVAR '%s' outside of menu code", self->GetName());
+		}
+	}
+
 	self->ResetToDefault();
 	return 0;
 }