diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/config.cpp b/src/citra_qt/configuration/config.cpp
index ddcb71e3d..970dc7bca 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/config.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/config.cpp
@@ -384,6 +384,7 @@ void Config::ReadValues() {
     UISettings::values.first_start = ReadSetting("firstStart", true).toBool();
     UISettings::values.callout_flags = ReadSetting("calloutFlags", 0).toUInt();
     UISettings::values.show_console = ReadSetting("showConsole", false).toBool();
+    UISettings::values.pause_when_on_background = ReadSetting("pauseWhenOnBackground", false).toBool();
 
     qt_config->beginGroup("Multiplayer");
     UISettings::values.nickname = ReadSetting("nickname", "").toString();
@@ -636,6 +637,7 @@ void Config::SaveValues() {
     WriteSetting("firstStart", UISettings::values.first_start, true);
     WriteSetting("calloutFlags", UISettings::values.callout_flags, 0);
     WriteSetting("showConsole", UISettings::values.show_console, false);
+    WriteSetting("pauseWhenOnBackground", UISettings::values.pause_when_on_background, false);
 
     qt_config->beginGroup("Multiplayer");
     WriteSetting("nickname", UISettings::values.nickname, "");
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.cpp b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.cpp
index 7332d959a..2911c26fe 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ ConfigureGeneral::~ConfigureGeneral() = default;
 
 void ConfigureGeneral::SetConfiguration() {
     ui->toggle_check_exit->setChecked(UISettings::values.confirm_before_closing);
+    ui->toggle_background_pause->setChecked(UISettings::values.pause_when_on_background);
 
     ui->toggle_update_check->setChecked(UISettings::values.check_for_update_on_start);
     ui->toggle_auto_update->setChecked(UISettings::values.update_on_close);
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ void ConfigureGeneral::ResetDefaults() {
 
 void ConfigureGeneral::ApplyConfiguration() {
     UISettings::values.confirm_before_closing = ui->toggle_check_exit->isChecked();
+    UISettings::values.pause_when_on_background = ui->toggle_background_pause->isChecked();
 
     UISettings::values.check_for_update_on_start = ui->toggle_update_check->isChecked();
     UISettings::values.update_on_close = ui->toggle_auto_update->isChecked();
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.ui b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.ui
index 0e7933625..046169c3b 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.ui
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_general.ui
@@ -29,6 +29,13 @@
           </property>
          </widget>
         </item>
+       <item>
+         <widget class="QCheckBox" name="toggle_background_pause">
+          <property name="text">
+           <string>Pause emulation when on background</string>
+          </property>
+         </widget>
+        </item>
        </layout>
       </widget>
      </item>
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/main.cpp b/src/citra_qt/main.cpp
index a401ce2d9..eb8cc55c7 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/main.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/main.cpp
@@ -500,15 +500,17 @@ void GMainWindow::RestoreUIState() {
 }
 
 void GMainWindow::OnLoseFocus(Qt::ApplicationState state) {
-    if (ui.action_Pause->isEnabled() &&
-        (state == Qt::ApplicationSuspended ||
-         state & (Qt::ApplicationHidden | Qt::ApplicationInactive))) {
-        auto_paused = true;
-        OnPauseGame();
-    }
-    if (ui.action_Start->isEnabled() && auto_paused && state == Qt::ApplicationActive) {
-        auto_paused = false;
-        OnStartGame();
+    if (UISettings::values.pause_when_on_background) {
+        if (ui.action_Pause->isEnabled() &&
+            (state == Qt::ApplicationSuspended ||
+             state & (Qt::ApplicationHidden | Qt::ApplicationInactive))) {
+            auto_paused = true;
+            OnPauseGame();
+        }
+        if (ui.action_Start->isEnabled() && auto_paused && state == Qt::ApplicationActive) {
+            auto_paused = false;
+            OnStartGame();
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/uisettings.h b/src/citra_qt/uisettings.h
index 573b4d975..175c68a2b 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/uisettings.h
+++ b/src/citra_qt/uisettings.h
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ struct Values {
 
     bool confirm_before_closing;
     bool first_start;
+    bool pause_when_on_background;
 
     bool updater_found;
     bool update_on_close;