diff --git a/shmup.cpp b/shmup.cpp
index 4a070fda..2f53a72d 100644
--- a/shmup.cpp
+++ b/shmup.cpp
@@ -2581,7 +2581,7 @@ EX void turn(int delta) {
       in_pause = true;
       if(!(racing::on && !racing::started() && !racing::finished())) {
         count_pauses++;
-        addMessage(XLAT("Pauses: %1 of %2 allowed", its(count_pauses), its(racing::pause_limit)));
+        if(racing::on) addMessage(XLAT("Pauses: %1 of %2 allowed", its(count_pauses), its(racing::pause_limit)));
         }
       }
     if(racing::on) {
diff --git a/system.cpp b/system.cpp
index 2ec3708b..627ce067 100644
--- a/system.cpp
+++ b/system.cpp
@@ -211,6 +211,7 @@ EX void initgame() {
   clearing::direct = 0;
   clearing::imputed = 0;
   rosephase = 0;
+  shmup::count_pauses = 0;
 
   if(firstland == laElementalWall) cwt.at->land = randomElementalLand();