diff --git a/engines/mtropolis/runtime.cpp b/engines/mtropolis/runtime.cpp
index 0e94d71f6ba..62ac240a99a 100644
--- a/engines/mtropolis/runtime.cpp
+++ b/engines/mtropolis/runtime.cpp
@@ -2917,7 +2917,7 @@ VThreadState Structural::consumeCommand(Runtime *runtime, const Common::SharedPt
 		return kVThreadReturn;
 	}
 	if (Event::create(EventIDs::kPause, 0).respondsTo(msg->getEvent())) {
-		if (_paused) {
+		if (!_paused) {
 			_paused = true;
 			onPauseStateChanged();
 		}