diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/Player.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/Player.cs
index 28ae77a53c..427519bff8 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/Player.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/Player.cs
@@ -223,7 +223,9 @@ private void load(AudioManager audio, APIAccess api, OsuConfigManager config)
             hudOverlay.KeyCounter.Visible.BindTo(RulesetContainer.HasReplayLoaded);
 
             RulesetContainer.IsPaused.BindTo(pauseContainer.IsPaused);
-            RulesetContainer.IsPaused.ValueChanged += paused => hudOverlay.KeyCounter.IsCounting = !paused;
+
+            // schedule to ensure we count any key presses from the current frame (which may affect gameplay).
+            RulesetContainer.IsPaused.ValueChanged += paused => Schedule(() => hudOverlay.KeyCounter.IsCounting = !paused);
 
             if (ShowStoryboard)
                 initializeStoryboard(false);