diff --git a/src/openrct2/config/Config.cpp b/src/openrct2/config/Config.cpp
index 1a267c3cb3..437423d744 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/config/Config.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/config/Config.cpp
@@ -380,6 +380,7 @@ namespace Config
             model->known_keys_only = reader->GetBoolean("known_keys_only", false);
             model->log_chat = reader->GetBoolean("log_chat", false);
             model->log_server_actions = reader->GetBoolean("log_server_actions", false);
+            model->pause_server_if_no_clients = reader->GetBoolean("pause_server_if_no_clients", false);
         }
     }
 
@@ -404,6 +405,7 @@ namespace Config
         writer->WriteBoolean("known_keys_only", model->known_keys_only);
         writer->WriteBoolean("log_chat", model->log_chat);
         writer->WriteBoolean("log_server_actions", model->log_server_actions);
+        writer->WriteBoolean("pause_server_if_no_clients", model->pause_server_if_no_clients);
     }
 
     static void ReadNotifications(IIniReader * reader)
diff --git a/src/openrct2/config/Config.h b/src/openrct2/config/Config.h
index 23ed4adeaf..f6b1f66b38 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/config/Config.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/config/Config.h
@@ -152,6 +152,7 @@ typedef struct NetworkConfiguration
     bool        known_keys_only;
     bool        log_chat;
     bool        log_server_actions;
+    bool        pause_server_if_no_clients;
 } NetworkConfiguration;
 
 typedef struct NotificationConfiguration
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/Network.cpp b/src/openrct2/network/Network.cpp
index 26bf788d89..4eed927c3a 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/Network.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/Network.cpp
@@ -351,6 +351,11 @@ bool Network::BeginServer(uint16 port, const char* address)
         _advertiser = CreateServerAdvertiser(listening_port);
     }
 
+    if (gConfigNetwork.pause_server_if_no_clients)
+    {
+        game_do_command(0, 1, 0, 0, GAME_COMMAND_TOGGLE_PAUSE, 0, 0);
+    }
+
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -1502,6 +1507,10 @@ void Network::EnqueueGameAction(const GameAction *action)
 
 void Network::AddClient(ITcpSocket * socket)
 {
+    if (gConfigNetwork.pause_server_if_no_clients && game_is_paused())
+    {
+        game_do_command(0, 1, 0, 0, GAME_COMMAND_TOGGLE_PAUSE, 0, 0);
+    }
     auto connection = std::make_unique<NetworkConnection>();
     connection->Socket = socket;
     char addr[128];
@@ -1540,6 +1549,10 @@ void Network::RemoveClient(std::unique_ptr<NetworkConnection>& connection)
                           return player.get() == connection_player;
                       }), player_list.end());
     client_connection_list.remove(connection);
+    if (gConfigNetwork.pause_server_if_no_clients && game_is_not_paused() && client_connection_list.size() == 0)
+    {
+        game_do_command(0, 1, 0, 0, GAME_COMMAND_TOGGLE_PAUSE, 0, 0);
+    }
     Server_Send_PLAYERLIST();
 }