diff --git a/rosbag2_transport/src/rosbag2_transport/recorder.cpp b/rosbag2_transport/src/rosbag2_transport/recorder.cpp
index 4aa0b1b79a..b5092d4a9a 100644
--- a/rosbag2_transport/src/rosbag2_transport/recorder.cpp
+++ b/rosbag2_transport/src/rosbag2_transport/recorder.cpp
@@ -211,7 +211,9 @@ RecorderImpl::RecorderImpl(
 RecorderImpl::~RecorderImpl()
 {
   keyboard_handler_->delete_key_press_callback(toggle_paused_key_callback_handle_);
-  stop();
+  if (in_recording_) {
+    stop();
+  }
 }
 
 void RecorderImpl::stop()