diff --git a/src/input_common/sdl/sdl_impl.cpp b/src/input_common/sdl/sdl_impl.cpp
index f67de37e39..a88ae452fd 100644
--- a/src/input_common/sdl/sdl_impl.cpp
+++ b/src/input_common/sdl/sdl_impl.cpp
@@ -717,6 +717,13 @@ SDLState::SDLState() {
     if (SDL_SetHint(SDL_HINT_JOYSTICK_ALLOW_BACKGROUND_EVENTS, "1") == SDL_FALSE) {
         LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to set hint for background events with: {}", SDL_GetError());
     }
+// these hints are only defined on sdl2.0.9 or higher
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 9)
+#if !SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 12)
+    // There are also hints to toggle the individual drivers if needed.
+    SDL_SetHint(SDL_HINT_JOYSTICK_HIDAPI, "0");
+#endif
+#endif
 
     SDL_AddEventWatch(&SDLEventWatcher, this);