diff --git a/engines/xeen/combat.cpp b/engines/xeen/combat.cpp
index 71ad6303a8d2..397370f41fc2 100644
--- a/engines/xeen/combat.cpp
+++ b/engines/xeen/combat.cpp
@@ -2099,7 +2099,8 @@ void Combat::reset() {
 	clearShooting();
 	setupCombatParty();
 
-	_combatMode = COMBATMODE_STARTUP;
+	_combatMode = COMBATMODE_1;
+	_monster2Attack = -1;
 }
 
 } // End of namespace Xeen
diff --git a/engines/xeen/interface.cpp b/engines/xeen/interface.cpp
index 88b33c416448..1a7900274cde 100644
--- a/engines/xeen/interface.cpp
+++ b/engines/xeen/interface.cpp
@@ -1519,7 +1519,7 @@ void Interface::doCombat() {
 				} while (!_vm->shouldExit() && events.timeElapsed() < 1 && !_buttonValue);
 			} while (!_vm->shouldExit() && !_buttonValue);
 			if (_vm->shouldExit())
-				return;
+				goto exit;
 
 			switch (_buttonValue) {
 			case Common::KEYCODE_TAB:
@@ -1701,7 +1701,7 @@ void Interface::doCombat() {
 				}
 			}
 		}
-
+exit:
 		w.close();
 		events.clearEvents();
 
@@ -1721,18 +1721,20 @@ void Interface::doCombat() {
 	mainIconsPrint();
 	combat._monster2Attack = -1;
 
-	if (upDoorText) {
-		map.cellFlagLookup(party._mazePosition);
-		if (map._currentIsEvent)
-			scripts.checkEvents();
-	}
+	if (!g_vm->isLoadPending()) {
+		if (upDoorText) {
+			map.cellFlagLookup(party._mazePosition);
+			if (map._currentIsEvent)
+				scripts.checkEvents();
+		}
 
-	if (reloadMap) {
-		sound.playFX(51);
-		map._loadCcNum = _vm->getGameID() != GType_WorldOfXeen ? 1 : 0;
-		map.load(_vm->getGameID() == GType_WorldOfXeen ? 28 : 29);
-		party._mazeDirection = _vm->getGameID() == GType_WorldOfXeen ?
-			DIR_EAST : DIR_SOUTH;
+		if (reloadMap) {
+			sound.playFX(51);
+			map._loadCcNum = _vm->getGameID() != GType_WorldOfXeen ? 1 : 0;
+			map.load(_vm->getGameID() == GType_WorldOfXeen ? 28 : 29);
+			party._mazeDirection = _vm->getGameID() == GType_WorldOfXeen ?
+				DIR_EAST : DIR_SOUTH;
+		}
 	}
 
 	combat._combatMode = COMBATMODE_1;
diff --git a/engines/xeen/xeen.cpp b/engines/xeen/xeen.cpp
index 5f6243c04586..8300040c629a 100644
--- a/engines/xeen/xeen.cpp
+++ b/engines/xeen/xeen.cpp
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ Common::Error XeenEngine::loadGameState(int slot) {
 }
 
 bool XeenEngine::canLoadGameStateCurrently() {
-	return _mode != MODE_COMBAT && _mode != MODE_STARTUP;
+	return _mode != MODE_STARTUP;
 }
 
 bool XeenEngine::canSaveGameStateCurrently() {
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ void XeenEngine::play() {
 
 void XeenEngine::gameLoop() {
 	// Main game loop
-	while (!shouldExit()) {
+	while (isLoadPending() || !shouldExit()) {
 		if (isLoadPending()) {
 			// Load any pending savegame
 			int saveSlot = _loadSaveSlot;
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ void XeenEngine::gameLoop() {
 		_map->cellFlagLookup(_party->_mazePosition);
 		if (_map->_currentIsEvent) {
 			_gameMode = (GameMode)_scripts->checkEvents();
-			if (shouldExit() || _gameMode)
+			if (shouldExit())
 				return;
 		}
 		_party->giveTreasure();
diff --git a/engines/xeen/xeen.h b/engines/xeen/xeen.h
index 774e97bea5b0..2cd42fdb0a25 100644
--- a/engines/xeen/xeen.h
+++ b/engines/xeen/xeen.h
@@ -219,9 +219,9 @@ class XeenEngine : public Engine {
 	void GUIError(const char *msg, ...) GCC_PRINTF(2, 3);
 
 	/**
-	 * Returns true if the game should be exited (and likely return to game menu)
+	 * Returns true if the game should be exited (either quitting, exiting to the main menu, or loading a savegame)
 	 */
-	bool shouldExit() const { return _gameMode != GMODE_NONE || shouldQuit(); }
+	bool shouldExit() const { return _gameMode != GMODE_NONE || isLoadPending() || shouldQuit(); }
 
 	/**
 	 * Returns true if a savegame load is pending