diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/fragments/PlayerFragment.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/fragments/PlayerFragment.kt
index 8d4d938db..bf6a81887 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/fragments/PlayerFragment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/github/libretube/ui/fragments/PlayerFragment.kt
@@ -1433,13 +1433,11 @@ class PlayerFragment : BaseFragment(), OnlinePlayerOptions {
             viewModel.isFullscreen.value = false
 
             updateCaptionsLanguage(null)
-        } else if (lifecycle.currentState == Lifecycle.State.CREATED) {
-            // close button got clicked in PiP mode
-            // destroying the fragment, player and notification
-            onDestroy()
-            // finish the activity
-            activity?.finishAndRemoveTask()
         } else {
+            // close button got clicked in PiP mode
+            // pause the video and keep the app alive
+            if (lifecycle.currentState == Lifecycle.State.CREATED) exoPlayer.pause()
+
             // enable exoPlayer controls again
             exoPlayerView.useController = true