diff --git a/input/input.c b/input/input.c
index 3ab6089de3..2671256270 100644
--- a/input/input.c
+++ b/input/input.c
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ struct cmd_queue {
 struct input_ctx {
     pthread_mutex_t mutex;
     pthread_cond_t wakeup;
+    pthread_t mainthread;
+    bool mainthread_set;
     struct mp_log *log;
     struct mpv_global *global;
 
@@ -1640,13 +1642,20 @@ static bool test_abort(struct input_ctx *ictx)
     return false;
 }
 
+void mp_input_set_main_thread(struct input_ctx *ictx)
+{
+    ictx->mainthread = pthread_self();
+    ictx->mainthread_set = true;
+}
+
 bool mp_input_check_interrupt(struct input_ctx *ictx)
 {
     input_lock(ictx);
     bool res = test_abort(ictx);
-    if (!res) {
+    if (!res && ictx->mainthread_set &&
+        pthread_equal(ictx->mainthread, pthread_self()) == 0)
+    {
         read_events(ictx, 0);
-        res = test_abort(ictx);
     }
     input_unlock(ictx);
     return res;
diff --git a/input/input.h b/input/input.h
index 8f46b0fd9a..b774462aab 100644
--- a/input/input.h
+++ b/input/input.h
@@ -219,6 +219,8 @@ bool mp_input_use_alt_gr(struct input_ctx *ictx);
 void mp_input_run_cmd(struct input_ctx *ictx, int def_flags, const char **cmd,
                       const char *location);
 
+void mp_input_set_main_thread(struct input_ctx *ictx);
+
 extern int async_quit_request;
 
 #endif /* MPLAYER_INPUT_H */
diff --git a/player/loadfile.c b/player/loadfile.c
index b8dab59b66..d6ff75d668 100644
--- a/player/loadfile.c
+++ b/player/loadfile.c
@@ -1488,6 +1488,7 @@ struct playlist_entry *mp_next_file(struct MPContext *mpctx, int direction,
 // Return if all done.
 void mp_play_files(struct MPContext *mpctx)
 {
+    mp_input_set_main_thread(mpctx->input);
     mpctx->quit_player_rc = EXIT_NONE;
     for (;;) {
         idle_loop(mpctx);