diff --git a/src/bundles/sound/functions.ts b/src/bundles/sound/functions.ts
index f1d296e734..50693c23f9 100644
--- a/src/bundles/sound/functions.ts
+++ b/src/bundles/sound/functions.ts
@@ -347,6 +347,8 @@ export function play_in_tab(sound: Sound): Sound {
     throw new Error(`${play_in_tab.name}: audio system still playing previous sound`);
   } else if (get_duration(sound) < 0) {
     throw new Error(`${play_in_tab.name}: duration of sound is negative`);
+  } else if (get_duration(sound) === 0) {
+    return sound;
   } else {
     // Instantiate audio context if it has not been instantiated.
     if (!audioplayer) {
@@ -417,6 +419,8 @@ export function play(sound: Sound): Sound {
     );
   } else if (get_duration(sound) < 0) {
     throw new Error(`${play.name}: duration of sound is negative`);
+  } else if (get_duration(sound) === 0) {
+    return sound;
   } else {
     // Instantiate audio context if it has not been instantiated.
     if (!audioplayer) {
diff --git a/src/bundles/stereo_sound/functions.ts b/src/bundles/stereo_sound/functions.ts
index 84ddb23ca0..7689708fd5 100644
--- a/src/bundles/stereo_sound/functions.ts
+++ b/src/bundles/stereo_sound/functions.ts
@@ -382,6 +382,8 @@ export function play_in_tab(sound: Sound): Sound {
     throw new Error(`${play_in_tab.name}: audio system still playing previous sound`);
   } else if (get_duration(sound) < 0) {
     throw new Error(`${play_in_tab.name}: duration of sound is negative`);
+  } else if (get_duration(sound) === 0) {
+    return sound;
   } else {
     // Instantiate audio context if it has not been instantiated.
     if (!audioplayer) {
@@ -478,6 +480,8 @@ export function play(sound: Sound): Sound {
     throw new Error(`${play.name}: audio system still playing previous sound`);
   } else if (get_duration(sound) < 0) {
     throw new Error(`${play.name}: duration of sound is negative`);
+  } else if (get_duration(sound) === 0) {
+    return sound;
   } else {
     // Instantiate audio context if it has not been instantiated.
     if (!audioplayer) {