diff --git a/core/mplayer.c b/core/mplayer.c
index 7aeb91f1b2..ad8441f476 100644
--- a/core/mplayer.c
+++ b/core/mplayer.c
@@ -1181,7 +1181,7 @@ static int get_term_width(void)
 static void write_status_line(struct MPContext *mpctx, const char *line)
 {
     struct MPOpts *opts = &mpctx->opts;
-    if (!opts->consolecontrols) {
+    if (opts->slave_mode) {
         mp_msg(MSGT_STATUSLINE, MSGL_STATUS, "%s\n", line);
     } else if (erase_to_end_of_line) {
         mp_msg(MSGT_STATUSLINE, MSGL_STATUS,