diff --git a/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-core.c b/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-core.c
index d72e177607a7..888ccb671e6c 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-core.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-core.c
@@ -792,6 +792,11 @@ int cx88_start_audio_dma(struct cx88_core *core)
 {
 	/* constant 128 made buzz in analog Nicam-stereo for bigger fifo_size */
 	int bpl = cx88_sram_channels[SRAM_CH25].fifo_size/4;
+
+	/* If downstream RISC is enabled, bail out; ALSA is managing DMA */
+	if (cx_read(MO_AUD_DMACNTRL) & 0x10)
+		return 0;
+
 	/* setup fifo + format */
 	cx88_sram_channel_setup(core, &cx88_sram_channels[SRAM_CH25], bpl, 0);
 	cx88_sram_channel_setup(core, &cx88_sram_channels[SRAM_CH26], bpl, 0);
@@ -801,11 +806,16 @@ int cx88_start_audio_dma(struct cx88_core *core)
 
 	/* start dma */
 	cx_write(MO_AUD_DMACNTRL, 0x0003); /* Up and Down fifo enable */
+
 	return 0;
 }
 
 int cx88_stop_audio_dma(struct cx88_core *core)
 {
+	/* If downstream RISC is enabled, bail out; ALSA is managing DMA */
+	if (cx_read(MO_AUD_DMACNTRL) & 0x10)
+		return 0;
+
 	/* stop dma */
 	cx_write(MO_AUD_DMACNTRL, 0x0000);
 
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-tvaudio.c b/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-tvaudio.c
index cbd85feec922..741e7c5e69ec 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-tvaudio.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-tvaudio.c
@@ -137,14 +137,10 @@ static void set_audio_finish(struct cx88_core *core, u32 ctl)
 {
 	u32 volume;
 
-#ifndef CONFIG_VIDEO_CX88_ALSA
 	/* restart dma; This avoids buzz in NICAM and is good in others  */
 	cx88_stop_audio_dma(core);
-#endif
 	cx_write(AUD_RATE_THRES_DMD, 0x000000C0);
-#ifndef CONFIG_VIDEO_CX88_ALSA
 	cx88_start_audio_dma(core);
-#endif
 
 	if (cx88_boards[core->board].blackbird) {
 		/* sets sound input from external adc */