diff --git a/gst/audiovisualizers/gstaudiovisualizer.c b/gst/audiovisualizers/gstaudiovisualizer.c
index 469194b770..2150ecdeae 100644
--- a/gst/audiovisualizers/gstaudiovisualizer.c
+++ b/gst/audiovisualizers/gstaudiovisualizer.c
@@ -948,7 +948,8 @@ gst_audio_visualizer_chain (GstPad * pad, GstObject * parent,
       break;
 
     /* sync controlled properties */
-    gst_object_sync_values (GST_OBJECT (scope), ts);
+    if (GST_CLOCK_TIME_IS_VALID (ts))
+      gst_object_sync_values (GST_OBJECT (scope), ts);
 
     GST_BUFFER_TIMESTAMP (outbuf) = ts;
     GST_BUFFER_DURATION (outbuf) = scope->frame_duration;