diff --git a/arch/sim/src/sim/posix/sim_alsa.c b/arch/sim/src/sim/posix/sim_alsa.c
index 708b03c46f..cd3280a5c0 100644
--- a/arch/sim/src/sim/posix/sim_alsa.c
+++ b/arch/sim/src/sim/posix/sim_alsa.c
@@ -303,6 +303,7 @@ static int sim_audio_close(struct sim_audio_s *priv)
   host_uninterruptible(snd_pcm_close, priv->pcm);
 
   priv->pcm = NULL;
+  priv->paused = false;
 
   return 0;
 }