diff --git a/spa/plugins/bluez5/media-source.c b/spa/plugins/bluez5/media-source.c
index 03e337a39..cfa8c1bd2 100644
--- a/spa/plugins/bluez5/media-source.c
+++ b/spa/plugins/bluez5/media-source.c
@@ -1468,7 +1468,7 @@ static int produce_buffer(struct impl *this)
 		io->buffer_id = SPA_ID_INVALID;
 	}
 
-	if (!this->source.loop) {
+	if (this->transport_started && !this->source.loop) {
 		io->status = -EIO;
 		return SPA_STATUS_STOPPED;
 	}