diff --git a/softsynth.c b/softsynth.c
index 96d0aca..4ccb087 100644
--- a/softsynth.c
+++ b/softsynth.c
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ static void process_buffer(struct synth_t *s, char *buf, ssize_t length)
 static void request_espeak_stop(void)
 {
 	pthread_mutex_lock(&queue_guard);
+	stop_audio();
 	runner_must_stop = 1;
 	pthread_cond_signal(&runner_awake);	/* Wake runner, if necessary. */
 	while(should_run && (runner_must_stop == 1))
diff --git a/synth.c b/synth.c
index e454ed4..9d77ffa 100644
--- a/synth.c
+++ b/synth.c
@@ -129,7 +129,6 @@ static espeak_ERROR stop_speech(void)
 {
 	espeak_ERROR rc;
 
-	stop_audio();
 	rc = espeak_Cancel();
 	start_audio(&user_data);
 	return rc;