diff --git a/emmental/audio/__init__.py b/emmental/audio/__init__.py
index 21a9261..4659140 100644
--- a/emmental/audio/__init__.py
+++ b/emmental/audio/__init__.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ class Player(GObject.GObject):
     playtime = GObject.Property(type=float)
     savedtime = GObject.Property(type=float)
 
+    pause_on_load = GObject.Property(type=bool, default=False)
+
     def __init__(self):
         """Initialize the audio Player."""
         super().__init__()
@@ -140,6 +142,7 @@ class Player(GObject.GObject):
             self.set_property(tag, 0)
 
         self.almost_done = False
+        self.pause_on_load = False
         self.artwork = artwork
         self.duration = duration
 
@@ -213,6 +216,8 @@ class Player(GObject.GObject):
     def file_loaded(self, file: pathlib.Path) -> None:
         """Signal that a new URI has started."""
         print("audio: file loaded")
+        if self.pause_on_load:
+            self._playbin.set_state(Gst.State.PAUSED)
         (res, dur) = self._playbin.query_duration(Gst.Format.TIME)
         cover = self.file.parent / "cover.jpg"
         self.__reset_properties(duration=(dur / Gst.USECOND if res else 0),
diff --git a/tests/audio/test_audio.py b/tests/audio/test_audio.py
index 7be68e0..9ded546 100644
--- a/tests/audio/test_audio.py
+++ b/tests/audio/test_audio.py
@@ -347,6 +347,19 @@ class TestAudio(unittest.TestCase):
                          emmental.tmpdir.cover_jpg())
         self.assertTrue(expected.is_file())
 
+    @unittest.mock.patch("sys.stdout", new_callable=io.StringIO)
+    def test_pause_on_load(self, mock_stdout: io.StringIO):
+        """Test pausing the next time a file is loaded."""
+        self.assertFalse(self.player.pause_on_load)
+
+        self.player.pause_on_load = True
+        self.player.file = tests.util.TRACK_OGG
+        self.player.play()
+
+        self.main_loop()
+        self.assertFalse(self.player.playing)
+        self.assertFalse(self.player.pause_on_load)
+
     def test_shutdown(self):
         """Test that the shutdown function works as expected."""
         self.player.shutdown()