diff --git a/src/joystick/SDL_joystick.c b/src/joystick/SDL_joystick.c
index 2f60e20eb2..5ce36de867 100644
--- a/src/joystick/SDL_joystick.c
+++ b/src/joystick/SDL_joystick.c
@@ -2502,7 +2502,7 @@ void SDL_UpdateJoysticks(void)
     Uint64 now;
     SDL_Joystick *joystick;
 
-    if (!SDL_WasInit(SDL_INIT_JOYSTICK)) {
+    if (!SDL_joysticks_initialized) {
         return;
     }