diff --git a/js/ui/animation.js b/js/ui/animation.js
index d66eaa404..528fb8220 100644
--- a/js/ui/animation.js
+++ b/js/ui/animation.js
@@ -54,12 +54,19 @@ var Animation = class {
 
     _loadFile(file, width, height) {
         let [validResourceScale, resourceScale] = this.actor.get_resource_scale();
+        let wasPlaying = this._isPlaying;
+
+        if (this._isPlaying)
+            this.stop();
 
         this._isLoaded = false;
         this.actor.destroy_all_children();
 
-        if (!validResourceScale)
+        if (!validResourceScale) {
+            if (wasPlaying)
+                this.play();
             return;
+        }
 
         let textureCache = St.TextureCache.get_default();
         let scaleFactor = St.ThemeContext.get_for_stage(global.stage).scale_factor;
@@ -67,6 +74,9 @@ var Animation = class {
                                                           scaleFactor, resourceScale,
                                                           this._animationsLoaded.bind(this));
         this.actor.set_child(this._animations);
+
+        if (wasPlaying)
+            this.play();
     }
 
     _showFrame(frame) {