diff --git a/src/aolayer.cpp b/src/aolayer.cpp
index f9b01d3..4eaaf9f 100644
--- a/src/aolayer.cpp
+++ b/src/aolayer.cpp
@@ -228,7 +228,6 @@ void CharLayer::load_image(QString p_filename, QString p_charname,
       ao_app->get_theme_path(
           "placeholder", ao_app->default_theme)}; // Default theme placeholder path
   start_playback(ao_app->get_image_path(pathlist));
-  play();
 }
 
 void SplashLayer::load_image(QString p_filename, QString p_charname,