}
        }
 
-       if (blackbird_initialize_codec(dev) < 0) {
+       if (!atomic_read(&dev->core->mpeg_users) && blackbird_initialize_codec(dev) < 0) {
                if (drv)
                        drv->request_release(drv);
                unlock_kernel();
                        fh->mpegq.field);
        unlock_kernel();
 
+       atomic_inc(&dev->core->mpeg_users);
+
        return 0;
 }
 
        struct cx8802_dev *dev = fh->dev;
        struct cx8802_driver *drv = NULL;
 
-       if (dev->mpeg_active)
+       if (dev->mpeg_active && atomic_read(&dev->core->mpeg_users) == 1)
                blackbird_stop_codec(dev);
 
        cx8802_cancel_buffers(fh->dev);
        if (drv)
                drv->request_release(drv);
 
+       atomic_dec(&dev->core->mpeg_users);
+
        return 0;
 }