diff --git a/src/sound/music_midistream.cpp b/src/sound/music_midistream.cpp
index 30d8ba6f6..08edc2961 100644
--- a/src/sound/music_midistream.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/music_midistream.cpp
@@ -1130,7 +1130,7 @@ void MIDIStreamer::Precache()
 void MIDIStreamer::CreateSMF(TArray<BYTE> &file, int looplimit)
 {
 	DWORD delay = 0;
-	BYTE running_status = 0;
+	BYTE running_status = 255;
 
 	// Always create songs aimed at GM devices.
 	CheckCaps(MOD_MIDIPORT);
@@ -1163,6 +1163,7 @@ void MIDIStreamer::CreateSMF(TArray<BYTE> &file, int looplimit)
 				file.Push(BYTE(tempo >> 16));
 				file.Push(BYTE(tempo >> 8));
 				file.Push(BYTE(tempo));
+				running_status = 255;
 			}
 			else if (MEVT_EVENTTYPE(event[2]) == MEVT_LONGMSG)
 			{
@@ -1176,6 +1177,7 @@ void MIDIStreamer::CreateSMF(TArray<BYTE> &file, int looplimit)
 					file.Push(MIDI_SYSEX);
 					WriteVarLen(file, len);
 					memcpy(&file[file.Reserve(len - 1)], bytes, len);
+					running_status = 255;
 				}
 			}
 			else if (MEVT_EVENTTYPE(event[2]) == 0)