diff --git a/src/event.cxx b/src/event.cxx
index c574663..e008ba7 100644
--- a/src/event.cxx
+++ b/src/event.cxx
@@ -5426,6 +5426,9 @@ CEvent::TreatEventBase (const SDL_Event & event)
     case SDLK_UP:
     case SDLK_DOWN:
     {
+      if (m_phase != EV_PHASE_PLAY && m_phase != EV_PHASE_BUILD)
+        return true;
+
       bool          left, right, up, down;
       const Uint8 * state = SDL_GetKeyboardState (nullptr);