diff --git a/scumm/script.cpp b/scumm/script.cpp
index 18367dbe4a3..f0533d1b4e9 100644
--- a/scumm/script.cpp
+++ b/scumm/script.cpp
@@ -544,8 +544,14 @@ void Scumm::writeVar(uint var, int value) {
 			_scummVars[var] = value;
 
 		// stay in sync with loom cd subtitle var
-		if (_gameId == GID_LOOM256 && var == VAR_NOSUBTITLES && (value == 0 || value == 1))
-			_noSubtitles = (value != 0);
+		if (_gameId == GID_LOOM256 && var == VAR_NOSUBTITLES && (value == 0 || value == 1)) {
+			// Override default initial setting of subtitles enabled
+			if (vm.slot[_currentScript].number == 1)
+				value = _noSubtitles;
+			else 
+				_noSubtitles = (value != 0);
+		}
+
 
 		if ((_varwatch == (int)var) || (_varwatch == 0)) {
 			if (vm.slot[_currentScript].number < 100)