diff --git a/clutter/clutter/clutter-timeline.c b/clutter/clutter/clutter-timeline.c
index df7db160b..bb4f77f06 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter/clutter-timeline.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter/clutter-timeline.c
@@ -1214,11 +1214,11 @@ clutter_timeline_pause (ClutterTimeline *timeline)
 
   priv = timeline->priv;
 
-  if (priv->delay_id == 0 && !priv->is_playing)
-    return;
-
   clutter_timeline_cancel_delay (timeline);
 
+  if (!priv->is_playing)
+    return;
+
   priv->msecs_delta = 0;
   set_is_playing (timeline, FALSE);