diff --git a/code/io/cursor.cpp b/code/io/cursor.cpp
index 6b44dc08c7..f2c75a910a 100644
--- a/code/io/cursor.cpp
+++ b/code/io/cursor.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 
 #include <utility>
 #include <globalincs/systemvars.h>
+#include <graphics/2d.h>
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -207,6 +208,8 @@ namespace io
 
 		Cursor* CursorManager::loadFromBitmap(int bitmapHandle)
 		{
+			Assertion(gr_screen.mode != GR_STUB, "Cursors can not be used with the stub renderer!");
+
 			Assertion(bm_is_valid(bitmapHandle), "%d is no valid bitmap handle!", bitmapHandle);
 
 			int nframes;
diff --git a/code/parse/lua.cpp b/code/parse/lua.cpp
index 28e01ba470..2c6c41197b 100644
--- a/code/parse/lua.cpp
+++ b/code/parse/lua.cpp
@@ -12987,6 +12987,9 @@ ADE_FUNC(setCursorImage, l_Mouse, "Image filename", "Sets mouse cursor image, an
 	if(!mouse_inited || !Gr_inited)
 		return ade_set_error(L, "b", false);
 
+	if (Is_standalone)
+		return ade_set_error(L, "b", false);
+
 	char *s = NULL;
 	enum_h *u = NULL; // This isn't used anymore
 
diff --git a/freespace2/freespace.cpp b/freespace2/freespace.cpp
index 648a4f8aa4..c89d89bd84 100644
--- a/freespace2/freespace.cpp
+++ b/freespace2/freespace.cpp
@@ -1974,10 +1974,12 @@ void game_init()
 	pilot_load_pic_list();	
 	pilot_load_squad_pic_list();
 
-	// Load the default cursor and enable it
-	io::mouse::Cursor* cursor = io::mouse::CursorManager::get()->loadCursor("cursor", true);
-	if (cursor) {
-		io::mouse::CursorManager::get()->setCurrentCursor(cursor);
+	if (!Is_standalone) {
+		// Load the default cursor and enable it
+		io::mouse::Cursor* cursor = io::mouse::CursorManager::get()->loadCursor("cursor", true);
+		if (cursor) {
+			io::mouse::CursorManager::get()->setCurrentCursor(cursor);
+		}
 	}
 
 	if(!Cmdline_reparse_mainhall)