diff --git a/libmpdemux/demux_lavf.c b/libmpdemux/demux_lavf.c
index 11a0d2afb8..8af971fa84 100644
--- a/libmpdemux/demux_lavf.c
+++ b/libmpdemux/demux_lavf.c
@@ -611,15 +611,16 @@ static void demux_seek_lavf(demuxer_t *demuxer, float rel_seek_secs, float audio
     int avsflags = 0;
     mp_msg(MSGT_DEMUX,MSGL_DBG2,"demux_seek_lavf(%p, %f, %f, %d)\n", demuxer, rel_seek_secs, audio_delay, flags);
 
-    if (flags & 1) // absolute seek
+    if (flags & 1) { // absolute seek
       priv->last_pts = priv->avfc->start_time;
+      if (rel_seek_secs < 0) avsflags = AVSEEK_FLAG_BACKWARD;
+    }
     if (flags & 2) { // percent seek
       if (priv->avfc->duration == 0 || priv->avfc->duration == AV_NOPTS_VALUE)
         return;
       priv->last_pts += rel_seek_secs * priv->avfc->duration;
     } else {
       priv->last_pts += rel_seek_secs * AV_TIME_BASE;
-      if (rel_seek_secs < 0) avsflags = AVSEEK_FLAG_BACKWARD;
     }
     av_seek_frame(priv->avfc, -1, priv->last_pts, avsflags);
 }