diff --git a/apps/playback.c b/apps/playback.c
index c13befa533..db04f3a784 100644
--- a/apps/playback.c
+++ b/apps/playback.c
@@ -813,7 +813,7 @@ void audio_check_buffer(void)
 #endif
     
     /* Start buffer filling as necessary. */
-    if (codecbufused > AUDIO_WATERMARK || !interrupt)
+    if (codecbufused > AUDIO_WATERMARK || interrupt || !playing)
         return ;
     
     filling = true;