diff --git a/src/howler.core.js b/src/howler.core.js
index 173619bb..6a76bba3 100644
--- a/src/howler.core.js
+++ b/src/howler.core.js
@@ -974,8 +974,11 @@
           playHtml5();
         } else {
           self._playLock = true;
+          self._state = 'loading';
 
           var listener = function() {
+            self._state = 'loaded';
+            
             // Begin playback.
             playHtml5();