diff --git a/osu.Game/Audio/PreviewTrack.cs b/osu.Game/Audio/PreviewTrack.cs
index 3b21bdefc4..22ce7d4711 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Audio/PreviewTrack.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Audio/PreviewTrack.cs
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ namespace osu.Game.Audio
         private void load()
         {
             track = GetTrack();
-            track.Completed += () => Schedule(Stop);
+            if (track != null)
+                track.Completed += () => Schedule(Stop);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -56,19 +57,25 @@ namespace osu.Game.Audio
         /// <summary>
         /// Starts playing this <see cref="PreviewTrack"/>.
         /// </summary>
-        public void Start() => startDelegate = Schedule(() =>
+        /// <returns>Whether the track is started or already playing.</returns>
+        public bool Start()
         {
             if (track == null)
-                return;
+                return false;
 
-            if (hasStarted)
-                return;
+            startDelegate = Schedule(() =>
+            {
+                if (hasStarted)
+                    return;
 
-            hasStarted = true;
+                hasStarted = true;
 
-            track.Restart();
-            Started?.Invoke();
-        });
+                track.Restart();
+                Started?.Invoke();
+            });
+
+            return true;
+        }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Stops playing this <see cref="PreviewTrack"/>.
diff --git a/osu.Game/Overlays/Direct/PlayButton.cs b/osu.Game/Overlays/Direct/PlayButton.cs
index 6daebb3c15..2a77e7ca26 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Overlays/Direct/PlayButton.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Overlays/Direct/PlayButton.cs
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Overlays.Direct
 
                 if (Preview != null)
                 {
-                    Preview.Start();
+                    attemptStart();
                     return;
                 }
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Overlays.Direct
 
                     // user may have changed their mind.
                     if (Playing.Value)
-                        preview.Start();
+                        attemptStart();
                 });
             }
             else
@@ -157,6 +157,12 @@ namespace osu.Game.Overlays.Direct
             }
         }
 
+        private void attemptStart()
+        {
+            if (Preview?.Start() != true)
+                Playing.Value = false;
+        }
+
         protected override void Dispose(bool isDisposing)
         {
             base.Dispose(isDisposing);