diff --git a/modules/juce_core/native/juce_posix_SharedCode.h b/modules/juce_core/native/juce_posix_SharedCode.h
index 5e0ba4500b..7bdbc55baf 100644
--- a/modules/juce_core/native/juce_posix_SharedCode.h
+++ b/modules/juce_core/native/juce_posix_SharedCode.h
@@ -1150,10 +1150,11 @@ struct HighResolutionTimer::Pimpl
 
     void start (int newPeriod)
     {
-        periodMs = newPeriod;
-
-        if (thread == 0)
+        if (periodMs != newPeriod)
         {
+            stop();
+            periodMs = newPeriod;
+
             shouldStop = false;
 
             if (pthread_create (&thread, nullptr, timerThread, this) == 0)