diff --git a/libobs/obs-encoder.c b/libobs/obs-encoder.c
index d82897529..2d311ccb7 100644
--- a/libobs/obs-encoder.c
+++ b/libobs/obs-encoder.c
@@ -369,8 +369,8 @@ bool obs_encoder_initialize(obs_encoder_t *encoder)
 
 	if (encoder->active)
 		return true;
-	if (encoder->context.data)
-		return false;
+
+	obs_encoder_shutdown(encoder);
 
 	if (encoder->info.create)
 		encoder->context.data = encoder->info.create(