diff --git a/Source/movie.cpp b/Source/movie.cpp
index 7ed76f206..3a4f6a10d 100644
--- a/Source/movie.cpp
+++ b/Source/movie.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include "engine/demomode.h"
 #include "engine/events.hpp"
 #include "engine/sound.h"
+#include "headless_mode.hpp"
 #include "hwcursor.hpp"
 #include "storm/storm_svid.h"
 #include "utils/display.h"
@@ -38,6 +39,11 @@ void play_movie(const char *pszMovie, bool userCanClose)
 	if (demo::IsRunning())
 		return;
 
+	// Video playback requires the SDL video subsystem, which HeadlessMode
+	// intentionally does not initialize.
+	if (HeadlessMode)
+		return;
+
 	movie_playing = true;
 
 	sound_disable_music(true);