diff --git a/demux/demux.c b/demux/demux.c
index b63038b6c4..22540bbb8e 100644
--- a/demux/demux.c
+++ b/demux/demux.c
@@ -3436,8 +3436,12 @@ static struct demuxer *open_given_type(struct mpv_global *global,
     mp_dbg(log, "Trying demuxer: %s (force-level: %s)\n",
            desc->name, d_level(check));
 
-    if (stream)
-        stream_seek(stream, 0);
+    if (stream && !stream_seek(stream, 0)) {
+        mp_err(log, "Failed to rewind stream to the start.\n");
+        demuxer->stream = NULL;
+        demux_free(demuxer);
+        return NULL;
+    }
 
     in->d_thread->params = params; // temporary during open()
     int ret = demuxer->desc->open(in->d_thread, check);