diff --git a/src/doom/m_menu.c b/src/doom/m_menu.c
index 29b6f9bf..bc33319c 100644
--- a/src/doom/m_menu.c
+++ b/src/doom/m_menu.c
@@ -6642,7 +6642,9 @@ void M_StartControlPanel (void)
     currentMenu = &MainDef;         // JDC
     M_Reset_Line_Glow();
     itemOn = currentMenu->lastOn;   // JDC
-    menu_mouse_allow = true;        // [JN] Show cursor on opening menu.
+    // [JN] Disallow menu items highlighting initially to prevent
+    // cursor jumping. It will be allowed by mouse movement.
+    menu_mouse_allow = false;
 }
 
 static void M_ID_MenuMouseControl (void)
diff --git a/src/heretic/mn_menu.c b/src/heretic/mn_menu.c
index c9679dd3..efafd5a1 100644
--- a/src/heretic/mn_menu.c
+++ b/src/heretic/mn_menu.c
@@ -6681,8 +6681,9 @@ void MN_ActivateMenu(void)
     }
     S_StartSound(NULL, sfx_dorcls);
     slottextloaded = false;     //reload the slot text, when needed
-    // [JN] Show cursor on opening menu.
-    menu_mouse_allow = true;
+    // [JN] Disallow menu items highlighting initially to prevent
+    // cursor jumping. It will be allowed by mouse movement.
+    menu_mouse_allow = false;
 }
 
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/hexen/mn_menu.c b/src/hexen/mn_menu.c
index 4eb9017a..9c8425b0 100644
--- a/src/hexen/mn_menu.c
+++ b/src/hexen/mn_menu.c
@@ -6138,8 +6138,9 @@ void MN_ActivateMenu(void)
     }
     S_StartSound(NULL, SFX_PLATFORM_STOP);
     slottextloaded = false;     //reload the slot text, when needed
-    // [JN] Show cursor on opening menu.
-    menu_mouse_allow = true;
+    // [JN] Disallow menu items highlighting initially to prevent
+    // cursor jumping. It will be allowed by mouse movement.
+    menu_mouse_allow = false;
 }
 
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------