diff --git a/src/video/emscripten/SDL_emscriptenevents.c b/src/video/emscripten/SDL_emscriptenevents.c
index 0f7da8e3f..39578f854 100644
--- a/src/video/emscripten/SDL_emscriptenevents.c
+++ b/src/video/emscripten/SDL_emscriptenevents.c
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ static EM_BOOL
 Emscripten_HandleKey(int eventType, const EmscriptenKeyboardEvent *keyEvent, void *userData)
 {
     Uint32 scancode;
-    SDL_bool prevent_default;
+    SDL_bool prevent_default = SDL_FALSE;
     SDL_bool is_nav_key;
 
     /* .keyCode is deprecated, but still the most reliable way to get keys */
@@ -577,12 +577,10 @@ Emscripten_HandleKey(int eventType, const EmscriptenKeyboardEvent *keyEvent, voi
                         break;
                 }
             }
-            SDL_SendKeyboardKey(eventType == EMSCRIPTEN_EVENT_KEYDOWN ? SDL_PRESSED : SDL_RELEASED, scancode);
+            prevent_default = SDL_SendKeyboardKey(eventType == EMSCRIPTEN_EVENT_KEYDOWN ? SDL_PRESSED : SDL_RELEASED, scancode);
         }
     }
 
-    prevent_default = SDL_GetEventState(eventType == EMSCRIPTEN_EVENT_KEYDOWN ? SDL_KEYDOWN : SDL_KEYUP) == SDL_ENABLE;
-
     /* if TEXTINPUT events are enabled we can't prevent keydown or we won't get keypress
      * we need to ALWAYS prevent backspace and tab otherwise chrome takes action and does bad navigation UX
      */