diff --git a/src/core/memory_card.h b/src/core/memory_card.h
index c95131bf0..e29f59feb 100644
--- a/src/core/memory_card.h
+++ b/src/core/memory_card.h
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ public:
   static std::unique_ptr<MemoryCard> Create();
   static std::unique_ptr<MemoryCard> Open(std::string_view filename);
 
+  const MemoryCardImage::DataArray& GetData() const { return m_data; }
+
   void Reset();
   bool DoState(StateWrapper& sw);
 
diff --git a/src/core/pad.cpp b/src/core/pad.cpp
index a09aa7d39..e18aa6caa 100644
--- a/src/core/pad.cpp
+++ b/src/core/pad.cpp
@@ -100,13 +100,37 @@ bool Pad::DoState(StateWrapper& sw)
     {
       Log_WarningPrintf("Skipping loading memory card %u from save state.", i + 1u);
 
-      MemoryCard dummy_card;
-      if (!sw.DoMarker("MemoryCard") || !dummy_card.DoState(sw))
+      std::unique_ptr<MemoryCard> card_from_state = std::make_unique<MemoryCard>();
+      if (!sw.DoMarker("MemoryCard") || !card_from_state->DoState(sw))
         return false;
 
-      // we do need to reset the existing card though, in case it was in the middle of a write
+      // does the content of the memory card match?
       if (m_memory_cards[i])
-        m_memory_cards[i]->Reset();
+      {
+        if (m_memory_cards[i]->GetData() == card_from_state->GetData())
+        {
+          Log_DevPrintf("Using memory card %u state from save state", i);
+          m_memory_cards[i] = std::move(card_from_state);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+          g_host_interface->AddFormattedOSDMessage(
+            20.0f,
+            g_host_interface->TranslateString(
+              "OSDMessage", "Memory card %u from save state does match current card data. Simulating replugging."),
+            i + 1u);
+
+          m_memory_cards[i]->Reset();
+        }
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        g_host_interface->AddFormattedOSDMessage(
+          20.0f,
+          g_host_interface->TranslateString("OSDMessage",
+                                            "Memory card %u present in save state but not in system. Ignoring card."),
+          i + 1u);
+      }
 
       continue;
     }
@@ -114,13 +138,19 @@ bool Pad::DoState(StateWrapper& sw)
     if (card_present && !m_memory_cards[i])
     {
       g_host_interface->AddFormattedOSDMessage(
-        2.0f, "Memory card %u present in save state but not in system. Creating temporary card.", i + 1u);
+        20.0f,
+        g_host_interface->TranslateString(
+          "OSDMessage", "Memory card %u present in save state but not in system. Creating temporary card."),
+        i + 1u);
       m_memory_cards[i] = MemoryCard::Create();
     }
     else if (!card_present && m_memory_cards[i])
     {
       g_host_interface->AddFormattedOSDMessage(
-        2.0f, "Memory card %u present in system but not in save state. Removing card.", i + 1u);
+        20.0f,
+        g_host_interface->TranslateString("OSDMessage",
+                                          "Memory card %u present in system but not in save state. Removing card."),
+        i + 1u);
       m_memory_cards[i].reset();
     }