diff --git a/extensions/ima/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/ext/ima/ImaAdsLoader.java b/extensions/ima/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/ext/ima/ImaAdsLoader.java
index 312cb046ba..43e3c0d93d 100644
--- a/extensions/ima/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/ext/ima/ImaAdsLoader.java
+++ b/extensions/ima/src/main/java/com/google/android/exoplayer2/ext/ima/ImaAdsLoader.java
@@ -889,8 +889,8 @@ public final class ImaAdsLoader extends Player.DefaultEventListener implements A
       podIndexOffset = adGroupIndexForPosition - 1;
     }
 
-    if (hasMidrollAdGroups(adGroupTimesUs)) {
-      // IMA will poll the content position, so provide the player's initial position like a seek.
+    if (adGroupIndexForPosition != C.INDEX_UNSET && hasMidrollAdGroups(adGroupTimesUs)) {
+      // Provide the player's initial position to trigger loading and playing the ad.
       pendingContentPositionMs = contentPositionMs;
     }