diff --git a/js/dbusServices/screencast/screencastService.js b/js/dbusServices/screencast/screencastService.js
index f7f36da88..a2bb23cfe 100644
--- a/js/dbusServices/screencast/screencastService.js
+++ b/js/dbusServices/screencast/screencastService.js
@@ -271,11 +271,14 @@ var ScreencastService = class extends ServiceImplementation {
     constructor() {
         super(ScreencastIface, '/org/gnome/Shell/Screencast');
 
+        this.hold(); // gstreamer initializing can take a bit
         this._canScreencast = ScreencastService.canScreencast();
 
         Gst.init(null);
         Gtk.init();
 
+        this.release();
+
         this._recorders = new Map();
         this._senders = new Map();