diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index e41600c86..05f1dc26d 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ Bugfixes:
  - SDL: Fix potential build issues when Qt and SDL2 are in use
  - GBA Memory: Fix jumping to invalid memory when switching from Thumb to ARM
  - GBA Video: Fix second frame mode 5
+ - Perf: Fix race condition if a game crashes immediately on start
 Misc:
  - Qt: Show multiplayer numbers in window title
  - Qt: Handle saving input settings better
diff --git a/src/platform/perf-main.c b/src/platform/perf-main.c
index 940a5ae4d..795bb8506 100644
--- a/src/platform/perf-main.c
+++ b/src/platform/perf-main.c
@@ -96,7 +96,14 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
 	if (!didStart) {
 		goto cleanup;
 	}
+	GBAThreadInterrupt(&context);
+	if (GBAThreadHasCrashed(&context)) {
+		GBAThreadJoin(&context);
+		goto cleanup;
+	}
+
 	GBAGetGameCode(context.gba, gameCode);
+	GBAThreadContinue(&context);
 
 	int frames = perfOpts.frames;
 	if (!frames) {