diff --git a/Model/Player/PlayerControlsModel.swift b/Model/Player/PlayerControlsModel.swift
index 39fc22c9..f5cf3111 100644
--- a/Model/Player/PlayerControlsModel.swift
+++ b/Model/Player/PlayerControlsModel.swift
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ final class PlayerControlsModel: ObservableObject {
             return
         }
 
-        player.backend.stopControlsUpdates()
+        player.backend?.stopControlsUpdates()
 
         guard !player.currentItem.isNil else {
             return