diff --git a/src/pipewire/thread-loop.c b/src/pipewire/thread-loop.c
index 31133bd12..f37a6e075 100644
--- a/src/pipewire/thread-loop.c
+++ b/src/pipewire/thread-loop.c
@@ -465,5 +465,5 @@ void pw_thread_loop_accept(struct pw_thread_loop *loop)
 SPA_EXPORT
 bool pw_thread_loop_in_thread(struct pw_thread_loop *loop)
 {
-	return pthread_self() == loop->thread;
+	return loop->running && pthread_self() == loop->thread;
 }