diff --git a/source/Enderal DLL/src/Patches/DialogueMenuPatch.h b/source/Enderal DLL/src/Patches/DialogueMenuPatch.h
index bb152ab5..6b10257e 100644
--- a/source/Enderal DLL/src/Patches/DialogueMenuPatch.h	
+++ b/source/Enderal DLL/src/Patches/DialogueMenuPatch.h	
@@ -25,8 +25,12 @@ private:
 			if (data && data->scaleformEvent->type == RE::GFxEvent::EventType::kKeyDown) {
 				RE::GFxKeyEvent* key = (RE::GFxKeyEvent*)data->scaleformEvent;
 
-				// Escape triggers a kTab event, added kEscape just in case
-				if (key && (key->keyCode == RE::GFxKey::kTab || key->keyCode == RE::GFxKey::kEscape) && !RE::UI::GetSingleton()->IsMenuOpen(RE::ContainerMenu::MENU_NAME) && !RE::UI::GetSingleton()->IsMenuOpen(RE::BarterMenu::MENU_NAME)) {
+				if (
+					key
+					// Escape triggers a kTab event, added kEscape just in case
+					&& (key->keyCode == RE::GFxKey::kTab || key->keyCode == RE::GFxKey::kEscape)
+					// Covers inventory and barter
+					&& !RE::UI::GetSingleton()->GameIsPaused()) {
 					OpenJournal(false);
 					return RE::UI_MESSAGE_RESULTS::kIgnore;
 				}