diff --git a/libs/ardour/audioengine.cc b/libs/ardour/audioengine.cc
index 69db73a6b7..5bd2d4dce4 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/audioengine.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/audioengine.cc
@@ -1278,9 +1278,9 @@ AudioEngine::prepare_for_latency_measurement ()
 	}
 
 	if (start (true)) {
-		_started_for_latency = true;
 		return -1;
 	}
+	_started_for_latency = true;
 
 	return 0;
 }