diff --git a/src/engines/gstengine.cpp b/src/engines/gstengine.cpp
index d9ddf1f42..f40fca8ba 100644
--- a/src/engines/gstengine.cpp
+++ b/src/engines/gstengine.cpp
@@ -122,6 +122,14 @@ void GstEngine::ReloadSettings() {
 
   sink_ = s.value("sink", kAutoSink).toString();
   device_ = s.value("device").toString();
+
+#ifdef Q_OS_WIN32
+  if (sink_ == kAutoSink) {
+    // HACK: Force the direct sound sink on Windows unless the user has
+    // explicitly chosen otherwise.
+    sink_ = "directsoundsink";
+  }
+#endif
 }