diff --git a/Core/Compatibility.h b/Core/Compatibility.h
index 4c2ff6ee39..d59dc8fa19 100644
--- a/Core/Compatibility.h
+++ b/Core/Compatibility.h
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <set>
 
+// compat.ini's ID for every PS1 game: they're all run by the firmware's same PS1 emulator. In the
+// usual letters-and-digits form, so it parses like any other ID.
+constexpr const char *POPS_COMPAT_ID = "POPS00000";
+
 // Compatibility flags are controlled by assets/compat.ini.
 // Alternatively, if PSP/System/compat.ini exists, it is merged on top, to enable editing
 // the file on Android for tests.
diff --git a/Core/System.cpp b/Core/System.cpp
index 8760cf1d32..5f23bc1735 100644
--- a/Core/System.cpp
+++ b/Core/System.cpp
@@ -514,6 +514,10 @@ static bool CPU_Init(FileLoader *fileLoader, IdentifiedFileType type, std::strin
 		// Headless replays frame dumps to compare them with references and with the PSP, which a game's
 		// workarounds would skew: DarkStalkers' present hack replaces the game's final upscale.
 		g_CoreParameter.compat.Clear();
+	} else if (type == IdentifiedFileType::PSP_PS1_PBP) {
+		// The PS1 emulator's workarounds don't depend on the PS1 game it runs. Only compat.ini sees this ID:
+		// savestates, save data and everything else use the game's own ID.
+		g_CoreParameter.compat.Load(POPS_COMPAT_ID);
 	} else {
 		g_CoreParameter.compat.Load(discId);
 	}