diff --git a/lib/media/streaming_engine.js b/lib/media/streaming_engine.js
index 44b323015f..7c852f5af0 100644
--- a/lib/media/streaming_engine.js
+++ b/lib/media/streaming_engine.js
@@ -390,9 +390,16 @@ shaka.media.StreamingEngine = class {
     await this.setupStreams_(streamSet);
     this.destroyer_.ensureNotDestroyed();
 
+    const showText = this.playerInterface_
+        .mediaSourceEngine
+        .getTextDisplayer()
+        .isTextVisible();
+
+    const streamText = showText || this.config_.alwaysStreamText;
+
     if ((this.textStreamSequenceId_ == currentSequenceId) &&
         !this.mediaStates_.has(ContentType.TEXT) &&
-        !this.unloadingTextStream_) {
+        !this.unloadingTextStream_ && streamText) {
       const presentationTime = this.playerInterface_.getPresentationTime();
       const needPeriodIndex = this.findPeriodForTime_(presentationTime);