diff --git a/ui/sdl2.c b/ui/sdl2.c
index 05729af971..d0f16f60f4 100644
--- a/ui/sdl2.c
+++ b/ui/sdl2.c
@@ -169,10 +169,10 @@ static void sdl_hide_cursor(void)
         return;
     }
 
-    if (qemu_input_is_absolute()) {
-        SDL_ShowCursor(1);
-        SDL_SetCursor(sdl_cursor_hidden);
-    } else {
+    SDL_ShowCursor(SDL_DISABLE);
+    SDL_SetCursor(sdl_cursor_hidden);
+
+    if (!qemu_input_is_absolute()) {
         SDL_SetRelativeMouseMode(SDL_TRUE);
     }
 }
@@ -185,14 +185,16 @@ static void sdl_show_cursor(void)
 
     if (!qemu_input_is_absolute()) {
         SDL_SetRelativeMouseMode(SDL_FALSE);
-        SDL_ShowCursor(1);
-        if (guest_cursor &&
-            (gui_grab || qemu_input_is_absolute() || absolute_enabled)) {
-            SDL_SetCursor(guest_sprite);
-        } else {
-            SDL_SetCursor(sdl_cursor_normal);
-        }
     }
+
+    if (guest_cursor &&
+        (gui_grab || qemu_input_is_absolute() || absolute_enabled)) {
+        SDL_SetCursor(guest_sprite);
+    } else {
+        SDL_SetCursor(sdl_cursor_normal);
+    }
+
+    SDL_ShowCursor(SDL_ENABLE);
 }
 
 static void sdl_grab_start(struct sdl2_console *scon)