diff --git a/src/core/config.h b/src/core/config.h
index 244794d5..9c318350 100644
--- a/src/core/config.h
+++ b/src/core/config.h
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ enum Config {
 #undef PC_WATER
 #define WATER_CHEATS
 
-//#define USE_CUTSCENE_SHADOW_FOR_PED
+//#define USE_CUTSCENE_SHADOW_FOR_PED // requires COMPATIBLE_SAVES
 //#define DISABLE_CUTSCENE_SHADOWS
 
 // Pad
@@ -451,4 +451,9 @@ static_assert(false, "SUPPORT_XBOX_SCRIPT and SUPPORT_MOBILE_SCRIPT are mutually
 	#undef PS2_AUDIO_CHANNELS
 #endif
 
+// if these defines are enabled saves are not vanilla compatible without COMPATIBLE_SAVES
+#ifndef COMPATIBLE_SAVES
+#undef USE_CUTSCENE_SHADOW_FOR_PED
+#endif
+
 #endif // VANILLA_DEFINES