diff --git a/OpenRA.Game/Sound.cs b/OpenRA.Game/Sound.cs
index de08f183d7..6bc9a15e68 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Game/Sound.cs
+++ b/OpenRA.Game/Sound.cs
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ namespace OpenRA
 
 		static ISoundEngine CreateEngine(string engine)
 		{
+			engine = Game.Settings.Server.Dedicated?"Null":engine;
 			switch (engine)
 			{	/* todo: if someone cares about pluggable crap here, ship this out */
 			case "AL": return new OpenAlSoundEngine();