diff --git a/syncplay/constants.py b/syncplay/constants.py
index 891df7a..02913f4 100644
--- a/syncplay/constants.py
+++ b/syncplay/constants.py
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ USERLIST_GUI_FILENAME_COLUMN = 3
 MPLAYER_SLAVE_ARGS = ['-slave', '--hr-seek=always', '-nomsgcolor', '-msglevel', 'all=1:global=4:cplayer=4', '-af-add', 'scaletempo']
 MPV_ARGS = ['--force-window', '--idle', '--hr-seek=always', '--keep-open']
 MPV_SLAVE_ARGS = ['--msg-level=all=error,cplayer=info,term-msg=info', '--input-terminal=no', '--input-file=/dev/stdin']
-MPV_SLAVE_ARGS_NEW = ['--term-playing-msg=<SyncplayUpdateFile>\nANS_filename=${filename}\nANS_length=${=length:${=duration:0}}\nANS_path=${path}\n</SyncplayUpdateFile>', '--terminal=yes']
+MPV_SLAVE_ARGS_NEW = ['--term-playing-msg=<SyncplayUpdateFile>\nANS_filename=${filename}\nANS_length=${=duration:${=length:0}}\nANS_path=${path}\n</SyncplayUpdateFile>', '--terminal=yes']
 MPV_NEW_VERSION = False
 VLC_SLAVE_ARGS = ['--extraintf=luaintf', '--lua-intf=syncplay', '--no-quiet', '--no-input-fast-seek',
                   '--play-and-pause', '--start-time=0']
diff --git a/syncplay/players/mplayer.py b/syncplay/players/mplayer.py
index 56e6b4e..a0a610d 100644
--- a/syncplay/players/mplayer.py
+++ b/syncplay/players/mplayer.py
@@ -183,7 +183,10 @@ class MplayerPlayer(BasePlayer):
             self._storePauseState(bool(value == 'yes'))
             self._pausedAsk.set()
         elif name == "length":
-            self._duration = float(value)
+            try:
+                self._duration = float(value)
+            except:
+                self._duration = 0
             self._durationAsk.set()
         elif name == "path":
             self._filepath = value