diff --git a/src/audio/openslES/SDL_openslES.c b/src/audio/openslES/SDL_openslES.c
index 187e6e5ad..397a3013d 100644
--- a/src/audio/openslES/SDL_openslES.c
+++ b/src/audio/openslES/SDL_openslES.c
@@ -399,13 +399,6 @@ openslES_CreatePCMPlayer(_THIS)
         /* goto failed; */
     }
 
-    /* set the player's state to playing */
-    result = (*bqPlayerItf)->SetPlayState(bqPlayerItf, SL_PLAYSTATE_PLAYING);
-    if (SL_RESULT_SUCCESS != result) {
-        LOGE("Play set state failed");
-        goto failed;
-    }
-
     /* Create the audio buffer semaphore */
     audiodata->playsem = SDL_CreateSemaphore(NUM_BUFFERS - 1);
     if (!audiodata->playsem) {
@@ -424,6 +417,13 @@ openslES_CreatePCMPlayer(_THIS)
         audiodata->pmixbuff[i] = audiodata->mixbuff + i * this->spec.size;
     }
 
+    /* set the player's state to playing */
+    result = (*bqPlayerItf)->SetPlayState(bqPlayerItf, SL_PLAYSTATE_PLAYING);
+    if (SL_RESULT_SUCCESS != result) {
+        LOGE("Play set state failed");
+        goto failed;
+    }
+
     return 0;
 
 failed: