diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/Cell/Modules/cellPad.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/Cell/Modules/cellPad.cpp
index 61a8ea3a2b..e81f6a95f4 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/Cell/Modules/cellPad.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/Cell/Modules/cellPad.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #include "stdafx.h"
 #include "Emu/IdManager.h"
 #include "Emu/system_config.h"
-#include "Emu/System.h"
 #include "Emu/Cell/PPUModule.h"
 #include "Emu/Cell/lv2/sys_process.h"
 #include "Emu/Cell/lv2/sys_sync.h"
@@ -166,11 +165,7 @@ void cellPad_NotifyStateChange(usz index, u64 /*state*/, bool locked)
 
 extern void pad_state_notify_state_change(usz index, u32 state)
 {
-	// Prevents accidental calls from pad handlers while the emulation is not running.
-	if (Emu.IsRunning())
-	{
-		send_sys_io_connect_event(index, state);
-	}
+	send_sys_io_connect_event(index, state);
 }
 
 error_code cellPadInit(ppu_thread& ppu, u32 max_connect)
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/Io/Null/NullPadHandler.h b/rpcs3/Emu/Io/Null/NullPadHandler.h
index 5c9f79ceac..46da136a7c 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/Io/Null/NullPadHandler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/Io/Null/NullPadHandler.h
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 class NullPadHandler final : public PadHandlerBase
 {
 public:
-	NullPadHandler() : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::null)
+	NullPadHandler(bool emulation) : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::null, emulation)
 	{
 		b_has_pressure_intensity_button = false;
 	}
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/Io/PadHandler.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/Io/PadHandler.cpp
index 3ec2e113eb..3dc42e769c 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/Io/PadHandler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/Io/PadHandler.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ cfg_input g_cfg_input;
 
 extern void pad_state_notify_state_change(usz index, u32 state);
 
-PadHandlerBase::PadHandlerBase(pad_handler type) : m_type(type)
+PadHandlerBase::PadHandlerBase(pad_handler type, bool emulation) : m_type(type), m_emulation(emulation)
 {
 }
 
@@ -747,7 +747,11 @@ void PadHandlerBase::process()
 				input_log.success("%s device %d connected", m_type, i);
 
 				pad->m_port_status |= CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED + CELL_PAD_STATUS_ASSIGN_CHANGES;
-				pad_state_notify_state_change(i, CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED);
+
+				if (m_emulation)
+				{
+					pad_state_notify_state_change(i, CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED);
+				}
 
 				last_connection_status[i] = true;
 				connected_devices++;
@@ -771,7 +775,11 @@ void PadHandlerBase::process()
 					input_log.success("%s device %d connected by force", m_type, i);
 
 					pad->m_port_status |= CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED + CELL_PAD_STATUS_ASSIGN_CHANGES;
-					pad_state_notify_state_change(i, CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED);
+
+					if (m_emulation)
+					{
+						pad_state_notify_state_change(i, CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED);
+					}
 
 					last_connection_status[i] = true;
 					connected_devices++;
@@ -786,7 +794,10 @@ void PadHandlerBase::process()
 				pad->m_port_status &= ~CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED;
 				pad->m_port_status |= CELL_PAD_STATUS_ASSIGN_CHANGES;
 
-				pad_state_notify_state_change(i, CELL_PAD_STATUS_DISCONNECTED);
+				if (m_emulation)
+				{
+					pad_state_notify_state_change(i, CELL_PAD_STATUS_DISCONNECTED);
+				}
 
 				last_connection_status[i] = false;
 				connected_devices--;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/Io/PadHandler.h b/rpcs3/Emu/Io/PadHandler.h
index 4028ea7100..e0c38f62a8 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/Io/PadHandler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/Io/PadHandler.h
@@ -248,6 +248,7 @@ public:
 
 	pad_handler m_type;
 	bool m_is_init = false;
+	bool m_emulation = false;
 
 	std::string name_string() const;
 	usz max_devices() const;
@@ -265,7 +266,7 @@ public:
 	void convert_stick_values(u16& x_out, u16& y_out, const s32& x_in, const s32& y_in, const s32& deadzone, const s32& padsquircling) const;
 
 	virtual bool Init() { return true; }
-	PadHandlerBase(pad_handler type = pad_handler::null);
+	PadHandlerBase(pad_handler type = pad_handler::null, bool emulation = false);
 	virtual ~PadHandlerBase() = default;
 	// Sets window to config the controller(optional)
 	virtual void SetPadData(const std::string& /*padId*/, u8 /*player_id*/, u8 /*large_motor*/, u8 /*small_motor*/, s32 /*r*/, s32 /*g*/, s32 /*b*/, bool /*player_led*/, bool /*battery_led*/, u32 /*battery_led_brightness*/) {}
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/ds3_pad_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/ds3_pad_handler.cpp
index 23ce0a911f..c2fd3aa156 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/ds3_pad_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/ds3_pad_handler.cpp
@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ constexpr std::array<u8, 6> battery_capacity = {0, 1, 25, 50, 75, 100};
 
 constexpr id_pair SONY_DS3_ID_0 = {0x054C, 0x0268};
 
-ds3_pad_handler::ds3_pad_handler()
-    : hid_pad_handler(pad_handler::ds3, {SONY_DS3_ID_0})
+ds3_pad_handler::ds3_pad_handler(bool emulation)
+    : hid_pad_handler(pad_handler::ds3, emulation, {SONY_DS3_ID_0})
 {
 	button_list =
 	{
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/ds3_pad_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/ds3_pad_handler.h
index f97952d379..327feead80 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/ds3_pad_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/ds3_pad_handler.h
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class ds3_pad_handler final : public hid_pad_handler<ds3_device>
 #endif
 
 public:
-	ds3_pad_handler();
+	ds3_pad_handler(bool emulation);
 	~ds3_pad_handler();
 
 	void SetPadData(const std::string& padId, u8 player_id, u8 large_motor, u8 small_motor, s32 r, s32 g, s32 b, bool player_led, bool battery_led, u32 battery_led_brightness) override;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/ds4_pad_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/ds4_pad_handler.cpp
index a7a4849200..c1f96b9bef 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/ds4_pad_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/ds4_pad_handler.cpp
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ namespace
 	}*/
 }
 
-ds4_pad_handler::ds4_pad_handler()
-    : hid_pad_handler<DS4Device>(pad_handler::ds4, {SONY_DS4_ID_0, SONY_DS4_ID_1, SONY_DS4_ID_2, ZEROPLUS_ID_0})
+ds4_pad_handler::ds4_pad_handler(bool emulation)
+    : hid_pad_handler<DS4Device>(pad_handler::ds4, emulation, {SONY_DS4_ID_0, SONY_DS4_ID_1, SONY_DS4_ID_2, ZEROPLUS_ID_0})
 {
 	// Unique names for the config files and our pad settings dialog
 	button_list =
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/ds4_pad_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/ds4_pad_handler.h
index 1f9ba60449..448528404b 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/ds4_pad_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/ds4_pad_handler.h
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class ds4_pad_handler final : public hid_pad_handler<DS4Device>
 	};
 
 public:
-	ds4_pad_handler();
+	ds4_pad_handler(bool emulation);
 	~ds4_pad_handler();
 
 	void SetPadData(const std::string& padId, u8 player_id, u8 large_motor, u8 small_motor, s32 r, s32 g, s32 b, bool player_led, bool battery_led, u32 battery_led_brightness) override;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/dualsense_pad_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/dualsense_pad_handler.cpp
index dd17de8bd9..12e6f46fca 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/dualsense_pad_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/dualsense_pad_handler.cpp
@@ -96,8 +96,8 @@ namespace
 	static_assert(sizeof(struct output_report_usb) == DUALSENSE_USB_REPORT_SIZE);
 }
 
-dualsense_pad_handler::dualsense_pad_handler()
-    : hid_pad_handler<DualSenseDevice>(pad_handler::dualsense, {SONY_DUALSENSE_ID_0, SONY_DUALSENSE_ID_1})
+dualsense_pad_handler::dualsense_pad_handler(bool emulation)
+    : hid_pad_handler<DualSenseDevice>(pad_handler::dualsense, emulation, {SONY_DUALSENSE_ID_0, SONY_DUALSENSE_ID_1})
 {
 	// Unique names for the config files and our pad settings dialog
 	button_list =
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/dualsense_pad_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/dualsense_pad_handler.h
index 282a994e70..fec445bb3a 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/dualsense_pad_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/dualsense_pad_handler.h
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class dualsense_pad_handler final : public hid_pad_handler<DualSenseDevice>
 	};
 
 public:
-	dualsense_pad_handler();
+	dualsense_pad_handler(bool emulation);
 	~dualsense_pad_handler();
 
 	void SetPadData(const std::string& padId, u8 player_id, u8 large_motor, u8 small_motor, s32 r, s32 g, s32 b, bool player_led, bool battery_led, u32 battery_led_brightness) override;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/evdev_joystick_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/evdev_joystick_handler.cpp
index 894eed7256..d486442c93 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/evdev_joystick_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/evdev_joystick_handler.cpp
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@
 
 LOG_CHANNEL(evdev_log, "evdev");
 
-evdev_joystick_handler::evdev_joystick_handler()
-    : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::evdev)
+evdev_joystick_handler::evdev_joystick_handler(bool emulation)
+    : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::evdev, emulation)
 {
 	init_configs();
 
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/evdev_joystick_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/evdev_joystick_handler.h
index e7ab8b5c28..ef3832d431 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/evdev_joystick_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/evdev_joystick_handler.h
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ class evdev_joystick_handler final : public PadHandlerBase
 	};
 
 public:
-	evdev_joystick_handler();
+	evdev_joystick_handler(bool emulation);
 	~evdev_joystick_handler();
 
 	void init_config(cfg_pad* cfg) override;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/gui_pad_thread.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/gui_pad_thread.cpp
index 7695f50169..968997561f 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/gui_pad_thread.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/gui_pad_thread.cpp
@@ -115,45 +115,12 @@ bool gui_pad_thread::init()
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < CELL_PAD_MAX_PORT_NUM; i++) // max 7 pads
 	{
 		cfg_player* cfg = g_cfg_input.player[i];
-		std::shared_ptr<PadHandlerBase> cur_pad_handler;
 
 		const pad_handler handler_type = cfg->handler.get();
+		std::shared_ptr<PadHandlerBase> cur_pad_handler = GetHandler(handler_type);
 
-		switch (handler_type)
+		if (!cur_pad_handler)
 		{
-		case pad_handler::ds3:
-			cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<ds3_pad_handler>();
-			break;
-		case pad_handler::ds4:
-			cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<ds4_pad_handler>();
-			break;
-		case pad_handler::dualsense:
-			cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<dualsense_pad_handler>();
-			break;
-		case pad_handler::skateboard:
-			cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<skateboard_pad_handler>();
-			break;
-#ifdef _WIN32
-		case pad_handler::xinput:
-			cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<xinput_pad_handler>();
-			break;
-		case pad_handler::mm:
-			cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<mm_joystick_handler>();
-			break;
-#endif
-#ifdef HAVE_SDL2
-		case pad_handler::sdl:
-			cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<sdl_pad_handler>();
-			break;
-#endif
-#ifdef HAVE_LIBEVDEV
-		case pad_handler::evdev:
-			cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<evdev_joystick_handler>();
-			break;
-#endif
-		case pad_handler::keyboard:
-		case pad_handler::null:
-			// Makes no sense to use this if we are in the GUI anyway
 			continue;
 		}
 
@@ -230,26 +197,26 @@ std::shared_ptr<PadHandlerBase> gui_pad_thread::GetHandler(pad_handler type)
 		// Makes no sense to use this if we are in the GUI anyway
 		return nullptr;
 	case pad_handler::ds3:
-		return std::make_unique<ds3_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<ds3_pad_handler>(false);
 	case pad_handler::ds4:
-		return std::make_unique<ds4_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<ds4_pad_handler>(false);
 	case pad_handler::dualsense:
-		return std::make_unique<dualsense_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<dualsense_pad_handler>(false);
 	case pad_handler::skateboard:
-		return std::make_unique<skateboard_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<skateboard_pad_handler>(false);
 #ifdef _WIN32
 	case pad_handler::xinput:
-		return std::make_unique<xinput_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<xinput_pad_handler>(false);
 	case pad_handler::mm:
-		return std::make_unique<mm_joystick_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<mm_joystick_handler>(false);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAVE_SDL2
 	case pad_handler::sdl:
-		return std::make_unique<sdl_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<sdl_pad_handler>(false);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAVE_LIBEVDEV
 	case pad_handler::evdev:
-		return std::make_unique<evdev_joystick_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<evdev_joystick_handler>(false);
 #endif
 	}
 
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/hid_pad_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/hid_pad_handler.cpp
index 4d8a7f63e9..ef1600d709 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/hid_pad_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/hid_pad_handler.cpp
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ static std::mutex s_hid_mutex; // hid_pad_handler is created by pad_thread and p
 static u8 s_hid_instances{0};
 
 template <class Device>
-hid_pad_handler<Device>::hid_pad_handler(pad_handler type, std::vector<id_pair> ids)
-    : PadHandlerBase(type), m_ids(std::move(ids))
+hid_pad_handler<Device>::hid_pad_handler(pad_handler type, bool emulation, std::vector<id_pair> ids)
+    : PadHandlerBase(type, emulation), m_ids(std::move(ids))
 {
 	std::scoped_lock lock(s_hid_mutex);
 	ensure(s_hid_instances++ < 255);
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/hid_pad_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/hid_pad_handler.h
index 943b6c2435..9de2e3f9d5 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/hid_pad_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/hid_pad_handler.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ template <class Device>
 class hid_pad_handler : public PadHandlerBase
 {
 public:
-	hid_pad_handler(pad_handler type, std::vector<id_pair> ids);
+	hid_pad_handler(pad_handler type, bool emulation, std::vector<id_pair> ids);
 	~hid_pad_handler();
 
 	bool Init() override;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/keyboard_pad_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/keyboard_pad_handler.cpp
index f1d31c2a11..fe5925e656 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/keyboard_pad_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/keyboard_pad_handler.cpp
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ bool keyboard_pad_handler::Init()
 	return true;
 }
 
-keyboard_pad_handler::keyboard_pad_handler()
+keyboard_pad_handler::keyboard_pad_handler(bool emulation)
 	: QObject()
-	, PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::keyboard)
+	, PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::keyboard, emulation)
 {
 	init_configs();
 
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/keyboard_pad_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/keyboard_pad_handler.h
index f5199a3edf..88fe2fe9c3 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/keyboard_pad_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/keyboard_pad_handler.h
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class keyboard_pad_handler final : public QObject, public PadHandlerBase
 public:
 	bool Init() override;
 
-	keyboard_pad_handler();
+	keyboard_pad_handler(bool emulation);
 
 	void SetTargetWindow(QWindow* target);
 	void processKeyEvent(QKeyEvent* event, bool pressed);
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/mm_joystick_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/mm_joystick_handler.cpp
index 1f8e6ec93e..3223c8079d 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/mm_joystick_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/mm_joystick_handler.cpp
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #include "mm_joystick_handler.h"
 #include "Emu/Io/pad_config.h"
 
-mm_joystick_handler::mm_joystick_handler() : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::mm)
+mm_joystick_handler::mm_joystick_handler(bool emulation) : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::mm, emulation)
 {
 	init_configs();
 
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/mm_joystick_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/mm_joystick_handler.h
index 0babc9987a..7ec990d281 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/mm_joystick_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/mm_joystick_handler.h
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ class mm_joystick_handler final : public PadHandlerBase
 	};
 
 public:
-	mm_joystick_handler();
+	mm_joystick_handler(bool emulation);
 
 	bool Init() override;
 
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.cpp
index 3e013b00a2..2a6127dcd5 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.cpp
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ void pad_thread::Init()
 	std::shared_ptr<keyboard_pad_handler> keyptr;
 
 	// Always have a Null Pad Handler
-	std::shared_ptr<NullPadHandler> nullpad = std::make_shared<NullPadHandler>();
+	std::shared_ptr<NullPadHandler> nullpad = std::make_shared<NullPadHandler>(true);
 	handlers.emplace(pad_handler::null, nullpad);
 
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < CELL_PAD_MAX_PORT_NUM; i++) // max 7 pads
@@ -152,47 +152,18 @@ void pad_thread::Init()
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			switch (handler_type)
+			if (handler_type == pad_handler::keyboard)
 			{
-			case pad_handler::keyboard:
-				keyptr = std::make_shared<keyboard_pad_handler>();
+				keyptr = std::make_shared<keyboard_pad_handler>(true);
 				keyptr->moveToThread(static_cast<QThread*>(m_curthread));
 				keyptr->SetTargetWindow(static_cast<QWindow*>(m_curwindow));
 				cur_pad_handler = keyptr;
-				break;
-			case pad_handler::ds3:
-				cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<ds3_pad_handler>();
-				break;
-			case pad_handler::ds4:
-				cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<ds4_pad_handler>();
-				break;
-			case pad_handler::dualsense:
-				cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<dualsense_pad_handler>();
-				break;
-			case pad_handler::skateboard:
-				cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<skateboard_pad_handler>();
-				break;
-#ifdef _WIN32
-			case pad_handler::xinput:
-				cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<xinput_pad_handler>();
-				break;
-			case pad_handler::mm:
-				cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<mm_joystick_handler>();
-				break;
-#endif
-#ifdef HAVE_SDL2
-			case pad_handler::sdl:
-				cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<sdl_pad_handler>();
-				break;
-#endif
-#ifdef HAVE_LIBEVDEV
-			case pad_handler::evdev:
-				cur_pad_handler = std::make_shared<evdev_joystick_handler>();
-				break;
-#endif
-			case pad_handler::null:
-				break;
 			}
+			else
+			{
+				cur_pad_handler = GetHandler(handler_type);
+			}
+
 			handlers.emplace(handler_type, cur_pad_handler);
 		}
 		cur_pad_handler->Init();
@@ -604,30 +575,30 @@ std::shared_ptr<PadHandlerBase> pad_thread::GetHandler(pad_handler type)
 	switch (type)
 	{
 	case pad_handler::null:
-		return std::make_unique<NullPadHandler>();
+		return std::make_shared<NullPadHandler>(true);
 	case pad_handler::keyboard:
-		return std::make_unique<keyboard_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<keyboard_pad_handler>(true);
 	case pad_handler::ds3:
-		return std::make_unique<ds3_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<ds3_pad_handler>(true);
 	case pad_handler::ds4:
-		return std::make_unique<ds4_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<ds4_pad_handler>(true);
 	case pad_handler::dualsense:
-		return std::make_unique<dualsense_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<dualsense_pad_handler>(true);
 	case pad_handler::skateboard:
-		return std::make_unique<skateboard_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<skateboard_pad_handler>(true);
 #ifdef _WIN32
 	case pad_handler::xinput:
-		return std::make_unique<xinput_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<xinput_pad_handler>(true);
 	case pad_handler::mm:
-		return std::make_unique<mm_joystick_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<mm_joystick_handler>(true);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAVE_SDL2
 	case pad_handler::sdl:
-		return std::make_unique<sdl_pad_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<sdl_pad_handler>(true);
 #endif
 #ifdef HAVE_LIBEVDEV
 	case pad_handler::evdev:
-		return std::make_unique<evdev_joystick_handler>();
+		return std::make_shared<evdev_joystick_handler>(true);
 #endif
 	}
 
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/sdl_pad_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/sdl_pad_handler.cpp
index 838207e655..9c65d83210 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/sdl_pad_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/sdl_pad_handler.cpp
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ LOG_CHANNEL(sdl_log, "SDL");
 constexpr u32 rumble_duration_ms = 500; // Some high number to keep rumble updates at a minimum.
 constexpr u32 rumble_refresh_ms = rumble_duration_ms - 100; // We need to keep updating the rumble. Choose a refresh timeout that is unlikely to run into missed rumble updates.
 
-sdl_pad_handler::sdl_pad_handler() : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::sdl)
+sdl_pad_handler::sdl_pad_handler(bool emulation) : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::sdl, emulation)
 {
 	button_list =
 	{
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/sdl_pad_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/sdl_pad_handler.h
index a070423b96..779aef06c6 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/sdl_pad_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/sdl_pad_handler.h
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class sdl_pad_handler : public PadHandlerBase
 	};
 
 public:
-	sdl_pad_handler();
+	sdl_pad_handler(bool emulation);
 	~sdl_pad_handler();
 
 	SDLDevice::sdl_info get_sdl_info(int i);
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/skateboard_pad_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/skateboard_pad_handler.cpp
index ab58806a4e..f78c3af3c1 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/skateboard_pad_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/skateboard_pad_handler.cpp
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ namespace
 	static constexpr std::array<u8, sizeof(skateboard_input_report)> disconnected_state  = { 0x00, 0x00, 0x0F, 0x80, 0x80, 0x80, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00, 0x00, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF };
 }
 
-skateboard_pad_handler::skateboard_pad_handler()
-    : hid_pad_handler<skateboard_device>(pad_handler::skateboard, {SKATEBOARD_ID_0})
+skateboard_pad_handler::skateboard_pad_handler(bool emulation)
+    : hid_pad_handler<skateboard_device>(pad_handler::skateboard, emulation, {SKATEBOARD_ID_0})
 {
 	// Unique names for the config files and our pad settings dialog
 	button_list =
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/skateboard_pad_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/skateboard_pad_handler.h
index 37520d55c5..df239122ed 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/skateboard_pad_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/skateboard_pad_handler.h
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class skateboard_pad_handler final : public hid_pad_handler<skateboard_device>
 	};
 
 public:
-	skateboard_pad_handler();
+	skateboard_pad_handler(bool emulation);
 	~skateboard_pad_handler();
 
 	void SetPadData(const std::string& padId, u8 player_id, u8 large_motor, u8 small_motor, s32 r, s32 g, s32 b, bool player_led, bool battery_led, u32 battery_led_brightness) override;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/xinput_pad_handler.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/xinput_pad_handler.cpp
index 5287df594b..f49345dac9 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/xinput_pad_handler.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/xinput_pad_handler.cpp
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ namespace XINPUT_INFO
 	};
 } // namespace XINPUT_INFO
 
-xinput_pad_handler::xinput_pad_handler() : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::xinput)
+xinput_pad_handler::xinput_pad_handler(bool emulation) : PadHandlerBase(pad_handler::xinput, emulation)
 {
 	// Unique names for the config files and our pad settings dialog
 	button_list =
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/xinput_pad_handler.h b/rpcs3/Input/xinput_pad_handler.h
index 49595f7696..ef58cf6dea 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/xinput_pad_handler.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/xinput_pad_handler.h
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class xinput_pad_handler final : public PadHandlerBase
 	};
 
 public:
-	xinput_pad_handler();
+	xinput_pad_handler(bool emulation);
 	~xinput_pad_handler();
 
 	bool Init() override;