diff --git a/src/core/system.cpp b/src/core/system.cpp
index 2ca1e7a54..21b0d31c9 100644
--- a/src/core/system.cpp
+++ b/src/core/system.cpp
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ bool Boot(const SystemBootParameters& params)
       return false;
     }
 
-    if (params.start_paused)
+    if (g_settings.start_paused || params.override_start_paused.value_or(false))
     {
       DebugAssert(s_state == State::Running);
       s_state = State::Paused;
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ bool Boot(const SystemBootParameters& params)
   }
 
   // Good to go.
-  s_state = params.start_paused ? State::Paused : State::Running;
+  s_state = (g_settings.start_paused || params.override_start_paused.value_or(false)) ? State::Paused : State::Running;
   return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/system.h b/src/core/system.h
index 7209b3f51..cc5ad41ae 100644
--- a/src/core/system.h
+++ b/src/core/system.h
@@ -27,11 +27,11 @@ struct SystemBootParameters
   std::string filename;
   std::optional<bool> override_fast_boot;
   std::optional<bool> override_fullscreen;
+  std::optional<bool> override_start_paused;
   std::unique_ptr<ByteStream> state_stream;
   u32 media_playlist_index = 0;
   bool load_image_to_ram = false;
   bool force_software_renderer = false;
-  bool start_paused = false;
 };
 
 namespace System {