diff --git a/include/SDL3/SDL_haptic.h b/include/SDL3/SDL_haptic.h
index bb6d606551670f..84f8c0c4f7695a 100644
--- a/include/SDL3/SDL_haptic.h
+++ b/include/SDL3/SDL_haptic.h
@@ -710,7 +710,7 @@ typedef struct SDL_HapticCondition
     /* Header */
     Uint16 type;            /**< SDL_HAPTIC_SPRING, SDL_HAPTIC_DAMPER,
                                  SDL_HAPTIC_INERTIA or SDL_HAPTIC_FRICTION */
-    SDL_HapticDirection direction;  /**< Direction of the effect - Not used ATM. */
+    SDL_HapticDirection direction;  /**< Direction of the effect. */
 
     /* Replay */
     Uint32 length;          /**< Duration of the effect. */
diff --git a/src/haptic/linux/SDL_syshaptic.c b/src/haptic/linux/SDL_syshaptic.c
index 1e38b9aabf4b98..cb1b3809466cc6 100644
--- a/src/haptic/linux/SDL_syshaptic.c
+++ b/src/haptic/linux/SDL_syshaptic.c
@@ -824,7 +824,9 @@ static bool SDL_SYS_ToFFEffect(struct ff_effect *dest, const SDL_HapticEffect *s
             dest->type = FF_FRICTION;
         }
 
-        dest->direction = 0; // Handled by the condition-specifics.
+        if (SDL_SYS_ToDirection(&dest->direction, &periodic->direction) == -1) {
+            return -1;
+        }
 
         // Replay
         dest->replay.length = (condition->length == SDL_HAPTIC_INFINITY) ? 0 : CLAMP(condition->length);