diff --git a/src/pipewire/filter.c b/src/pipewire/filter.c
index df2592466..345bcfe31 100644
--- a/src/pipewire/filter.c
+++ b/src/pipewire/filter.c
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ static bool filter_set_state(struct pw_filter *filter, enum pw_filter_state stat
 	enum pw_filter_state old = filter->state;
 	bool changed = old != state;
 
-	if (res) {
+	if (changed) {
 		free(filter->error);
 		filter->error = error ? strdup(error) : NULL;
 		filter->error_res = res;
diff --git a/src/pipewire/stream.c b/src/pipewire/stream.c
index 8efddb4eb..7f4bac171 100644
--- a/src/pipewire/stream.c
+++ b/src/pipewire/stream.c
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ static bool stream_set_state(struct pw_stream *stream, enum pw_stream_state stat
 	enum pw_stream_state old = stream->state;
 	bool changed = old != state;
 
-	if (res) {
+	if (changed) {
 		free(stream->error);
 		stream->error = error ? strdup(error) : NULL;
 		stream->error_res = res;