diff --git a/libvncserver/main.c b/libvncserver/main.c
index 47dac11..dbda77d 100644
--- a/libvncserver/main.c
+++ b/libvncserver/main.c
@@ -612,21 +612,18 @@ listenerRun(void *data)
     return(NULL);
 }
 
-void 
-rfbStartOnHoldClient(rfbClientPtr cl)
-{
-    pthread_create(&cl->client_thread, NULL, clientInput, (void *)cl);
-}
-
-#else
+#endif
 
 void 
 rfbStartOnHoldClient(rfbClientPtr cl)
 {
-	cl->onHold = FALSE;
+    cl->onHold = FALSE;
+#ifdef LIBVNCSERVER_HAVE_LIBPTHREAD
+    if(cl->screen->backgroundLoop)
+	pthread_create(&cl->client_thread, NULL, clientInput, (void *)cl);
+#endif
 }
 
-#endif
 
 void 
 rfbRefuseOnHoldClient(rfbClientPtr cl)