diff --git a/tdkpin-rs/src/game.rs b/tdkpin-rs/src/game.rs
index edb2730..f6b9277 100644
--- a/tdkpin-rs/src/game.rs
+++ b/tdkpin-rs/src/game.rs
@@ -540,7 +540,10 @@ impl Game {
         self.flipper_inputs.right_raised =
             controls.right_flipper && !self.tilted && !self.flipper_release_latch[1];
 
-        if self.ball.in_launcher && !self.tilted {
+        // The original key handlers keep accepting the launcher key while
+        // tilted; Tilt disables flippers and scoring, but must not strand a
+        // ball that is still waiting in the shooter lane.
+        if self.ball.in_launcher {
             if controls.launch_down {
                 if self.launcher_was_down {
                     self.launcher_hold_seconds += frame_time.min(0.05);
@@ -563,7 +566,9 @@ impl Game {
             } else if self.launcher_was_down {
                 self.fire_launcher();
                 events.push(Event::Launch);
-                events.push(Event::Sound(2002));
+                if !self.tilted {
+                    events.push(Event::Sound(2002));
+                }
             }
         }
         if !self.tilted && controls.nudge != Nudge::None {
@@ -4928,4 +4933,38 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(game.tilted);
         assert!(game.ball.in_launcher);
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn tilted_waiting_ball_can_still_be_launched() {
+        let mut game = Game::new_with_seed(1, 7);
+
+        for _ in 0..2 {
+            game.update(
+                0.0,
+                3,
+                Controls {
+                    nudge: Nudge::Right,
+                    ..Controls::default()
+                },
+            );
+        }
+        assert!(game.tilted);
+        assert!(game.ball.in_launcher);
+
+        game.update(
+            0.0,
+            3,
+            Controls {
+                launch_down: true,
+                ..Controls::default()
+            },
+        );
+        assert!(game.launcher_frame() > 0);
+
+        let events = game.update(0.0, 3, Controls::default());
+        assert!(events.contains(&Event::Launch));
+        assert!(!events.contains(&Event::Sound(2002)));
+        assert!(!game.ball.in_launcher);
+        assert!(game.tilted);
+    }
 }