diff --git a/apps/playback.c b/apps/playback.c
index a808a62a0e..2fbc4a85a1 100644
--- a/apps/playback.c
+++ b/apps/playback.c
@@ -3159,7 +3159,7 @@ void audio_pcmbuf_track_change(bool pcmbuf)
 /* May pcmbuf start PCM playback when the buffer is full enough? */
 bool audio_pcmbuf_may_play(void)
 {
-    return play_status == PLAY_PLAYING && !ff_rw_mode;
+    return play_status != PLAY_PAUSED && !ff_rw_mode;
 }