diff --git a/lib/window.cpp b/lib/window.cpp
index f24a4d5..0d1a5c2 100644
--- a/lib/window.cpp
+++ b/lib/window.cpp
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ std::atomic_bool g_surfaceReady = false;
 std::atomic_bool g_surfaceReady = true;
 #endif
 bool g_lastPaused = false;
+bool g_gotFocus = false;
 
 bool operator==(const AuroraWindowSize& lhs, const AuroraWindowSize& rhs) {
   return lhs.width == rhs.width && lhs.height == rhs.height && lhs.fb_width == rhs.fb_width &&
@@ -445,6 +446,11 @@ bool is_paused() noexcept {
   if ((flags & SDL_WINDOW_HIDDEN) != 0u) {
     return true;
   }
+  // Wait until the window has received focus before respecting pauseOnFocusLost
+  if (!g_gotFocus) {
+    g_gotFocus = (flags & SDL_WINDOW_INPUT_FOCUS) != 0u;
+    return false;
+  }
   return g_config.pauseOnFocusLost && ((flags & SDL_WINDOW_INPUT_FOCUS) == 0u || (flags & SDL_WINDOW_MINIMIZED) != 0u);
 }