diff --git a/vpx-encoder/encoder.go b/vpx-encoder/encoder.go
index 1c66f22a..2bda0617 100644
--- a/vpx-encoder/encoder.go
+++ b/vpx-encoder/encoder.go
@@ -172,6 +172,7 @@ func (v *VpxEncoder) startLooping() {
 // Release release memory and stop loop
 func (v *VpxEncoder) Release() {
 	if v.IsRunning {
+		v.IsRunning = false
 		log.Println("Releasing encoder")
 		log.Println("Close output", v.Output)
 		C.vpx_img_free(&v.vpxImage)
@@ -182,6 +183,5 @@ func (v *VpxEncoder) Release() {
 			close(v.Input)
 		}
 	}
-	v.IsRunning = false
 	// TODO: Can we merge IsRunning and Done together
 }