diff --git a/src/pulse/stream.c b/src/pulse/stream.c
index 39338c1d1..2b6d3062c 100644
--- a/src/pulse/stream.c
+++ b/src/pulse/stream.c
@@ -1213,7 +1213,6 @@ static int create_stream(
      * when they are passed but actually not supported. This makes
      * client development easier */
 
-    PA_CHECK_VALIDITY(s->context, direction == PA_STREAM_PLAYBACK || !(flags & (PA_STREAM_START_MUTED)), PA_ERR_INVALID);
     PA_CHECK_VALIDITY(s->context, direction == PA_STREAM_RECORD || !(flags & (PA_STREAM_PEAK_DETECT)), PA_ERR_INVALID);
     PA_CHECK_VALIDITY(s->context, !volume || s->n_formats || (pa_sample_spec_valid(&s->sample_spec) && volume->channels == s->sample_spec.channels), PA_ERR_INVALID);
     PA_CHECK_VALIDITY(s->context, !sync_stream || (direction == PA_STREAM_PLAYBACK && sync_stream->direction == PA_STREAM_PLAYBACK), PA_ERR_INVALID);