diff --git a/src/platform/libretro/libretro.c b/src/platform/libretro/libretro.c
index c7c3876b4..071e19c57 100644
--- a/src/platform/libretro/libretro.c
+++ b/src/platform/libretro/libretro.c
@@ -63,6 +63,27 @@ static void _reloadSettings(void) {
 	};
 
 	struct retro_variable var;
+	enum GBModel model;
+	const char* modelName;
+
+	var.key = "mgba_model";
+	var.value = 0;
+	if (environCallback(RETRO_ENVIRONMENT_GET_VARIABLE, &var) && var.value) {
+		if (strcmp(var.value, "Game Boy") == 0) {
+			model = GB_MODEL_DMG;
+		} else if (strcmp(var.value, "Super Game Boy") == 0) {
+			model = GB_MODEL_SGB;
+		} else if (strcmp(var.value, "Game Boy Color") == 0) {
+			model = GB_MODEL_CGB;
+		} else {
+			model = GB_MODEL_AUTODETECT;
+		}
+
+		modelName = GBModelToName(model);
+		mCoreConfigSetDefaultValue(&core->config, "gb.model", modelName);
+		mCoreConfigSetDefaultValue(&core->config, "sgb.model", modelName);
+		mCoreConfigSetDefaultValue(&core->config, "cgb.model", modelName);
+	}
 
 	var.key = "mgba_use_bios";
 	var.value = 0;
@@ -119,6 +140,7 @@ void retro_set_environment(retro_environment_t env) {
 	struct retro_variable vars[] = {
 		{ "mgba_solar_sensor_level", "Solar sensor level; 0|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10" },
 		{ "mgba_allow_opposing_directions", "Allow opposing directional input; OFF|ON" },
+		{ "mgba_model", "Game Boy model (requires restart); Autodetect|Game Boy|Super Game Boy|Game Boy Color" },
 		{ "mgba_use_bios", "Use BIOS file if found (requires restart); ON|OFF" },
 		{ "mgba_skip_bios", "Skip BIOS intro (requires restart); OFF|ON" },
 		{ "mgba_sgb_borders", "Use Super Game Boy borders (requires restart); ON|OFF" },