diff --git a/audio/audio_driver.c b/audio/audio_driver.c
index 0dbb97befa..0b0c68b75e 100644
--- a/audio/audio_driver.c
+++ b/audio/audio_driver.c
@@ -497,3 +497,11 @@ void audio_driver_readjust_input_rate(void)
          global->audio_data.src_ratio, global->audio_data.orig_src_ratio);
 #endif
 }
+
+bool audio_driver_alive(void)
+{
+   driver_t *driver     = driver_get_ptr();
+   if (driver && driver->audio && driver->audio->alive)
+      return driver->audio->alive(driver->audio_data);
+   return false;
+}
diff --git a/audio/audio_driver.h b/audio/audio_driver.h
index 206b552d20..ebaf7d32d8 100644
--- a/audio/audio_driver.h
+++ b/audio/audio_driver.h
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ bool audio_driver_mute_toggle(void);
  */
 void audio_driver_readjust_input_rate(void);
 
+bool audio_driver_alive(void);
+
 /**
  * config_get_audio_driver_options:
  *
diff --git a/retroarch.c b/retroarch.c
index 599010bcfb..4a065b9f09 100644
--- a/retroarch.c
+++ b/retroarch.c
@@ -2468,13 +2468,13 @@ bool rarch_main_command(unsigned cmd)
       case RARCH_CMD_AUDIO_STOP:
          if (!driver->audio_data)
             return false;
-         if (!driver->audio->alive(driver->audio_data))
+         if (!audio_driver_alive())
             return false;
 
          driver->audio->stop(driver->audio_data);
          break;
       case RARCH_CMD_AUDIO_START:
-         if (!driver->audio_data || driver->audio->alive(driver->audio_data))
+         if (!driver->audio_data || audio_driver_alive())
             return false;
 
          if (!settings->audio.mute_enable