diff --git a/src/video/windx5/SDL_dx5events.c b/src/video/windx5/SDL_dx5events.c
index ce9205042..55c13f564 100644
--- a/src/video/windx5/SDL_dx5events.c
+++ b/src/video/windx5/SDL_dx5events.c
@@ -518,7 +518,10 @@ LONG
 
 		/* The keyboard is handled via DirectInput */
 		case WM_SYSKEYUP:
-		case WM_SYSKEYDOWN:
+		case WM_SYSKEYDOWN: {
+			/* Pass syskey to DefWindwoProc (ALT-F4, etc.) */
+		}
+		break;
 		case WM_KEYUP:
 		case WM_KEYDOWN: {
 			/* Ignore windows keyboard messages */;