diff --git a/ui/sdl2.c b/ui/sdl2.c
index b483a51fb7..d630459b78 100644
--- a/ui/sdl2.c
+++ b/ui/sdl2.c
@@ -849,7 +849,10 @@ static void sdl2_display_init(DisplayState *ds, DisplayOptions *o)
 #ifdef SDL_HINT_VIDEO_X11_NET_WM_BYPASS_COMPOSITOR /* only available since SDL 2.0.8 */
     SDL_SetHint(SDL_HINT_VIDEO_X11_NET_WM_BYPASS_COMPOSITOR, "0");
 #endif
+#ifndef CONFIG_WIN32
+    /* QEMU uses its own low level keyboard hook procecure on Windows */
     SDL_SetHint(SDL_HINT_GRAB_KEYBOARD, "1");
+#endif
 #ifdef SDL_HINT_ALLOW_ALT_TAB_WHILE_GRABBED
     SDL_SetHint(SDL_HINT_ALLOW_ALT_TAB_WHILE_GRABBED, "0");
 #endif