diff --git a/src/gfx.cpp b/src/gfx.cpp
index d787dc26f6e6..ff2c80bfc02e 100644
--- a/src/gfx.cpp
+++ b/src/gfx.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ bool _right_button_down;    ///< Is right mouse button pressed?
 bool _right_button_clicked; ///< Is right mouse button clicked?
 DrawPixelInfo _screen;
 bool _screen_disable_anim = false;   ///< Disable palette animation (important for 32bpp-anim blitter during giant screenshot)
-bool _exit_game;
+std::atomic<bool> _exit_game;
 GameMode _game_mode;
 SwitchMode _switch_mode;  ///< The next mainloop command.
 PauseMode _pause_mode;
diff --git a/src/openttd.h b/src/openttd.h
index 2cd9cc1f0929..6473168ee195 100644
--- a/src/openttd.h
+++ b/src/openttd.h
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #ifndef OPENTTD_H
 #define OPENTTD_H
 
+#include <atomic>
 #include "core/enum_type.hpp"
 
 /** Mode which defines the state of the game. */
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ enum DisplayOptions {
 
 extern GameMode _game_mode;
 extern SwitchMode _switch_mode;
-extern bool _exit_game;
+extern std::atomic<bool> _exit_game;
 extern bool _save_config;
 
 /** Modes of pausing we've got */