diff --git a/audio/internal/readerdriver/driver_windows.go b/audio/internal/readerdriver/driver_windows.go
index 5906859d2..785c4936f 100644
--- a/audio/internal/readerdriver/driver_windows.go
+++ b/audio/internal/readerdriver/driver_windows.go
@@ -184,14 +184,14 @@ func (p *players) removeImpl(player *playerImpl) error {
 }
 
 func (p *players) shouldWait() bool {
-	if len(p.players) == 0 {
-		return true
-	}
-
 	if p.waveOut == 0 {
 		return false
 	}
 
+	if len(p.players) == 0 {
+		return true
+	}
+
 	if len(p.buf) < headerBufferSize*len(p.headers) {
 		return false
 	}