diff --git a/modules/videoio/src/cap_gstreamer.cpp b/modules/videoio/src/cap_gstreamer.cpp
index 1e2339eac..7c2852963 100644
--- a/modules/videoio/src/cap_gstreamer.cpp
+++ b/modules/videoio/src/cap_gstreamer.cpp
@@ -874,8 +874,8 @@ bool CvCapture_GStreamer::open( int type, const char* filename )
         fps = (double)num/(double)denom;
 
          // GST_DEBUG_BIN_TO_DOT_FILE(GST_BIN(pipeline), GST_DEBUG_GRAPH_SHOW_ALL, "pipeline")
-
-        stopPipeline();
+        if (file)
+            stopPipeline();
     }
 
     __END__;