diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/AnimationHandle.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/AnimationHandle.cpp
index 64e2bf28b9..1cb3d4654f 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/AnimationHandle.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/AnimationHandle.cpp
@@ -64,8 +64,8 @@ void AnimationHandle::setRunning(bool running) {
         if (running) {
             // move back to the beginning
             setFrameIndex(getFirstFrame());
+            return;
         }
-        return;
     }
     _animationLoop.setRunning(running);
     if (isRunning()) {