diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 6628488ae..179ad5f28 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ ver 0.21.3 (not yet released)
 * output
   - alsa: fix crash bug
   - alsa: fix stuttering at start of playback
+  - alsa: clear error after reopening device
 * log: default to journal if MPD was started as systemd service
 
 ver 0.21.2 (2018/11/12)
diff --git a/src/output/plugins/AlsaOutputPlugin.cxx b/src/output/plugins/AlsaOutputPlugin.cxx
index abacb099a..7f403265c 100644
--- a/src/output/plugins/AlsaOutputPlugin.cxx
+++ b/src/output/plugins/AlsaOutputPlugin.cxx
@@ -673,6 +673,7 @@ AlsaOutput::Open(AudioFormat &audio_format)
 
 	active = false;
 	must_prepare = false;
+	error = {};
 }
 
 inline int