diff --git a/synth.c b/synth.c
index 8d5c076..f7f13c3 100644
--- a/synth.c
+++ b/synth.c
@@ -114,12 +114,8 @@ espeak_ERROR set_volume(struct synth_t * s, int vol, enum adjust_t adj)
 
 espeak_ERROR stop_speech(void)
 {
-	espeak_ERROR rc;
-
-	rc = espeak_Cancel();
-	if (rc == EE_OK)
-		stopped = 1;
-	return rc;
+	stopped = 1;
+	return (espeak_Cancel());
 }
 
 espeak_ERROR speak_text(struct synth_t * s)