diff --git a/core/src/mindustry/core/GameState.java b/core/src/mindustry/core/GameState.java
index 7c89abe05d..17d3b3bfe9 100644
--- a/core/src/mindustry/core/GameState.java
+++ b/core/src/mindustry/core/GameState.java
@@ -86,11 +86,12 @@ public class GameState{
     }
 
     public boolean isPaused(){
-        return is(State.paused);
+        return state == State.paused;
     }
 
+    /** @return whether there is an unpaused game in progress. */
     public boolean isPlaying(){
-        return (state == State.playing) || (state == State.paused && !isPaused());
+        return state == State.playing;
     }
 
     /** @return whether the current state is *not* the menu. */