diff --git a/src/osdep/amiberry_gui.cpp b/src/osdep/amiberry_gui.cpp
index 28979eaf..19c68a83 100644
--- a/src/osdep/amiberry_gui.cpp
+++ b/src/osdep/amiberry_gui.cpp
@@ -624,6 +624,12 @@ void gui_message(const char* format, ...)
 	vsprintf(msg, format, parms);
 	va_end(parms);
 
+	if (!uae_gui)
+	{
+		// GUI screen is not initialized, output message to the console instead
+		printf("%s\n", msg);
+		return;
+	}
 	InGameMessage(msg);
 }