diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index 76ad8b769bf..aeca89b3a6f 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ Bugfixes:
  - GB Memory: Fix HDMA5 value after DMA completes
  - GB Video: Hblank IRQs should mask LYC=LY IRQs
  - GB Audio: Reset envelope timer when reseting sound channel
+ - Libretro: Fix disabling BIOS
 Misc:
  - PSP2: Improved controller rumble
  - GB, GBA: Prevent loading null ROMs
diff --git a/src/platform/libretro/libretro.c b/src/platform/libretro/libretro.c
index 40f8ba00b13..b290ee28b9e 100644
--- a/src/platform/libretro/libretro.c
+++ b/src/platform/libretro/libretro.c
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ bool retro_load_game(const struct retro_game_info* game) {
 		gba->luminanceSource = &lux;
 
 		const char* sysDir = 0;
-		if (environCallback(RETRO_ENVIRONMENT_GET_SYSTEM_DIRECTORY, &sysDir)) {
+		if (core->opts.useBios && environCallback(RETRO_ENVIRONMENT_GET_SYSTEM_DIRECTORY, &sysDir)) {
 			char biosPath[PATH_MAX];
 			snprintf(biosPath, sizeof(biosPath), "%s%s%s", sysDir, PATH_SEP, "gba_bios.bin");
 			struct VFile* bios = VFileOpen(biosPath, O_RDONLY);