diff --git a/src/core/player.cpp b/src/core/player.cpp
index 6174c9a60..302489885 100644
--- a/src/core/player.cpp
+++ b/src/core/player.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ Engine::EngineType Player::CreateEngine(Engine::EngineType enginetype) {
 #ifdef HAVE_VLC
       case Engine::VLC:
         use_enginetype=Engine::VLC;
-        engine_ = std::make_unique<VLCEngine>(app_->task_manager());
+        engine_ = std::make_shared<VLCEngine>(app_->task_manager());
         break;
 #endif
       default:
diff --git a/src/core/player.h b/src/core/player.h
index 484f21e0d..9d0a142a7 100644
--- a/src/core/player.h
+++ b/src/core/player.h
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ class Player : public PlayerInterface {
 
  private:
   Application *app_;
-  std::unique_ptr<EngineBase> engine_;
+  std::shared_ptr<EngineBase> engine_;
 #ifdef HAVE_GSTREAMER
   GstStartup *gst_startup_;
 #endif