diff --git a/spa/plugins/alsa/alsa-seq.c b/spa/plugins/alsa/alsa-seq.c
index 3b740f47e..9cb707814 100644
--- a/spa/plugins/alsa/alsa-seq.c
+++ b/spa/plugins/alsa/alsa-seq.c
@@ -404,7 +404,6 @@ int spa_alsa_seq_open(struct seq_state *state)
 
 	state->sys.source.func = alsa_seq_on_sys;
 	state->sys.source.data = state;
-	spa_loop_add_source(state->main_loop, &state->sys.source);
 
 	/* increase event queue timer resolution */
 	snd_seq_queue_timer_alloca(&timer);
@@ -449,6 +448,8 @@ int spa_alsa_seq_open(struct seq_state *state)
 
 	state->timerfd = res;
 
+	spa_loop_add_source(state->main_loop, &state->sys.source);
+
 	state->opened = true;
 
 	return 0;