diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/PopupVideoPlayer.java b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/PopupVideoPlayer.java
index 7a5faf31d14..0ccec30674a 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/PopupVideoPlayer.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/PopupVideoPlayer.java
@@ -166,9 +166,6 @@ public int onStartCommand(final Intent intent, final int flags, final int startI
             initPopup();
             initPopupCloseOverlay();
         }
-        if (!playerImpl.isPlaying()) {
-            playerImpl.getPlayer().setPlayWhenReady(true);
-        }
 
         playerImpl.handleIntent(intent);