diff --git a/src/laudio_alsa.c b/src/laudio_alsa.c
index 436d8e6b..99daa528 100644
--- a/src/laudio_alsa.c
+++ b/src/laudio_alsa.c
@@ -295,6 +295,9 @@ laudio_alsa_get_pos(void)
   if (pcm_last_error != 0)
     return pcm_pos;
 
+  if (snd_pcm_state(hdl) != SND_PCM_STATE_RUNNING)
+    return pcm_pos;
+
   ret = snd_pcm_delay(hdl, &delay);
   if (ret < 0)
     {