diff --git a/frontend/menu/menu_common.c b/frontend/menu/menu_common.c
index d3b91c5467..b825fbc29f 100644
--- a/frontend/menu/menu_common.c
+++ b/frontend/menu/menu_common.c
@@ -61,12 +61,13 @@ int menu_defer_core(core_info_list_t *core_info, const char *dir, const char *pa
    if (supported == 1) // Can make a decision right now.
    {
       strlcpy(g_extern.fullpath, deferred_path, sizeof(g_extern.fullpath));
-      strlcpy(g_settings.libretro, info->path, sizeof(g_settings.libretro));
+
+      if (path_file_exists(info->path))
+         strlcpy(g_settings.libretro, info->path, sizeof(g_settings.libretro));
 
 #ifdef HAVE_DYNAMIC
       g_extern.lifecycle_state |= (1ULL << MODE_LOAD_GAME);
 #else
-      rarch_environment_cb(RETRO_ENVIRONMENT_SET_LIBRETRO_PATH, (void*)g_settings.libretro);
       rarch_environment_cb(RETRO_ENVIRONMENT_EXEC, (void*)g_extern.fullpath);
 #endif
       return -1;