diff --git a/ui/spice-core.c b/ui/spice-core.c
index 1cc9960..4d38497 100644
--- a/ui/spice-core.c
+++ b/ui/spice-core.c
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@
 {
     if (running) {
         qemu_spice_display_start();
-    } else {
+    } else if (state != RUN_STATE_PAUSED) {
         qemu_spice_display_stop();
     }
 }