diff --git a/stepmania/src/global.h b/stepmania/src/global.h
index a504144251..e2705932b9 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/global.h
+++ b/stepmania/src/global.h
@@ -87,7 +87,12 @@ namespace Checkpoints
 #endif
 
 /* The infinite loop isn't actually reached; it's just there to shut up a warning. */
-static inline void NORETURN sm_crash() { *(char*)0=0; while(1) ; }
+#ifdef _WINDOWS
+	#include "windows.h"
+	static inline void NORETURN sm_crash() { DebugBreak(); }	// throws an exception that gets caught by the exception handler
+#else
+	static inline void NORETURN sm_crash() { *(char*)0=0; while(1); }
+#endif 
 
 /* Assertion that sets an optional message and brings up the crash handler, so
  * we get a backtrace.  This should probably be used instead of throwing an