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 d44b756f3..4ba138396 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
@@ -639,8 +639,9 @@ class PlayerFragment : Fragment(), OnlinePlayerOptions {
 
         viewModel.player = null
 
+        if (this::exoPlayer.isInitialized) exoPlayer.pause()
+
         // disable the auto PiP mode for SDK >= 32
-        exoPlayer.pause()
         if (PlayerHelper.pipEnabled) {
             PictureInPictureCompat.setPictureInPictureParams(
                 requireActivity(),