diff --git a/Core/src/org/sleuthkit/autopsy/contentviewers/MediaPlayerPanel.java b/Core/src/org/sleuthkit/autopsy/contentviewers/MediaPlayerPanel.java
index 5e0c85e807..1b30c49ef4 100755
--- a/Core/src/org/sleuthkit/autopsy/contentviewers/MediaPlayerPanel.java
+++ b/Core/src/org/sleuthkit/autopsy/contentviewers/MediaPlayerPanel.java
@@ -187,7 +187,6 @@ public class MediaPlayerPanel extends JPanel implements MediaFileViewer.MediaVie
      */
     public MediaPlayerPanel() throws GstException, UnsatisfiedLinkError {
         initComponents();
-        initGst();
         customizeComponents();
     }
 
@@ -251,11 +250,6 @@ public class MediaPlayerPanel extends JPanel implements MediaFileViewer.MediaVie
         };
     }
 
-    private void initGst() throws GstException, UnsatisfiedLinkError {
-        logger.log(Level.INFO, "Attempting initializing of gstreamer for video/audio viewing"); //NON-NLS
-        Gst.init();
-    }
-
     /**
      * Loads the file by spawning off a background task to handle file copying
      * and video component initializations.
@@ -453,6 +447,12 @@ public class MediaPlayerPanel extends JPanel implements MediaFileViewer.MediaVie
                 if(this.isCancelled()) {
                     return;
                 }
+
+                // Initialize Gstreamer. It is safe to call this for every file.
+                // It was moved here from the constructor because having it happen
+                // earlier resulted in conflicts on Linux.
+                Gst.init();
+
                 //Video is ready for playback. Create new components
                 gstPlayBin = new PlayBin("VideoPlayer", tempFile.toURI());
                 //Configure event handling