diff --git a/source/preferences.cpp b/source/preferences.cpp
index cd0f788..ef6b68c 100644
--- a/source/preferences.cpp
+++ b/source/preferences.cpp
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ DefaultSettings ()
 	Settings.SkipFrames = AUTO_FRAMERATE;
 	Settings.TurboSkipFrames = 19;
 	Settings.DisplayFrameRate = false;
-	Settings.AutoDisplayMessages = true;
+	Settings.AutoDisplayMessages = false;
 	Settings.InitialInfoStringTimeout = 200; // # frames to display messages for
 	Settings.DisplayTime = false;
 
diff --git a/source/snes9xgx.cpp b/source/snes9xgx.cpp
index b034452..29892bd 100644
--- a/source/snes9xgx.cpp
+++ b/source/snes9xgx.cpp
@@ -521,6 +521,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		ScreenshotRequested = 0;
 		SwitchAudioMode(0);
 
+		Settings.AutoDisplayMessages = (Settings.DisplayFrameRate || Settings.DisplayTime ? true : false);
 		Settings.MultiPlayer5Master = (GCSettings.Controller == CTRL_PAD4 ? true : false);
 		Settings.SuperScopeMaster = (GCSettings.Controller == CTRL_SCOPE ? true : false);
 		Settings.MouseMaster = (GCSettings.Controller == CTRL_MOUSE ? true : false);