diff --git a/src/screencast_keys/common.py b/src/screencast_keys/common.py
index f9a20df..eb4a81e 100644
--- a/src/screencast_keys/common.py
+++ b/src/screencast_keys/common.py
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@
 
 
 def is_console_mode():
+    if bpy.app.background:
+        return True
     if "SK_CONSOLE_MODE" not in os.environ:
         return False
     return os.environ["SK_CONSOLE_MODE"] == "true"