diff --git a/src/howler.core.js b/src/howler.core.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/src/howler.core.js
+++ b/src/howler.core.js
@@ -1198,7 +1198,7 @@
             // Keep track of our position when the rate changed and update the playback
             // start position so we can properly adjust the seek position for time elapsed.
             sound._rateSeek = self.seek(id[i]);
-            sound._playStart = Howler.ctx.currentTime;
+            sound._playStart = self._webAudio ? Howler.ctx.currentTime : sound._playStart;
             sound._rate = rate;
 
             // Change the playback rate.
Fix bug with rate change in browsers that lack Web Audio