diff --git a/src/pulsecore/sink-input.c b/src/pulsecore/sink-input.c
index cade0dba1..5368f317c 100644
--- a/src/pulsecore/sink-input.c
+++ b/src/pulsecore/sink-input.c
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ pa_sink_input* pa_sink_input_new(
     }
 
     pa_return_null_if_fail(pa_cvolume_valid(&data->volume));
-    pa_return_null_if_fail(data->volume.channels == data->sample_spec.channels);
+    pa_return_null_if_fail(pa_cvolume_compatible(&data->volume, &data->sample_spec));
 
     if (!data->muted_is_set)
         data->muted = FALSE;