diff --git a/mopidy/outputs/gstreamer.py b/mopidy/outputs/gstreamer.py
index 5e64378f..a28329f7 100644
--- a/mopidy/outputs/gstreamer.py
+++ b/mopidy/outputs/gstreamer.py
@@ -159,10 +159,10 @@ class GStreamerProcess(BaseProcess):
         :type state_name: string
         :rtype: :class:`True` or :class:`False`
         """
-        state = getattr(gst, 'STATE_' + state_name)
-        self.gst_pipeline.set_state(state)
-        new_state = self.gst_pipeline.get_state()[1]
-        if new_state == state:
+        # XXX Setting state to PLAYING often returns False even if it works
+        result = self.gst_pipeline.set_state(
+            getattr(gst, 'STATE_' + state_name))
+        if result == gst.STATE_CHANGE_SUCCESS:
             logger.debug('Setting GStreamer state to %s: OK', state_name)
             return True
         else: