diff --git a/desktop_version/src/main.cpp b/desktop_version/src/main.cpp
index c96faf7f..6e722260 100644
--- a/desktop_version/src/main.cpp
+++ b/desktop_version/src/main.cpp
@@ -382,11 +382,14 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
             Mix_Pause(-1);
             Mix_PauseMusic();
 
-            FillRect(graphics.backBuffer, 0x00000000);
-            graphics.bprint(5, 110, "Game paused", 196 - help.glow, 255 - help.glow, 196 - help.glow, true);
-            graphics.bprint(5, 120, "[click to resume]", 196 - help.glow, 255 - help.glow, 196 - help.glow, true);
-            graphics.bprint(5, 220, "Press M to mute in game", 164 - help.glow, 196 - help.glow, 164 - help.glow, true);
-            graphics.bprint(5, 230, "Press N to mute music only", 164 - help.glow, 196 - help.glow, 164 - help.glow, true);
+            if (!game.blackout)
+            {
+                FillRect(graphics.backBuffer, 0x00000000);
+                graphics.bprint(5, 110, "Game paused", 196 - help.glow, 255 - help.glow, 196 - help.glow, true);
+                graphics.bprint(5, 120, "[click to resume]", 196 - help.glow, 255 - help.glow, 196 - help.glow, true);
+                graphics.bprint(5, 220, "Press M to mute in game", 164 - help.glow, 196 - help.glow, 164 - help.glow, true);
+                graphics.bprint(5, 230, "Press N to mute music only", 164 - help.glow, 196 - help.glow, 164 - help.glow, true);
+            }
             graphics.render();
             //We are minimised, so lets put a bit of a delay to save CPU
             SDL_Delay(100);