diff --git a/panda/src/audio/audioSound.h b/panda/src/audio/audioSound.h
index 1ea77bb9e5..4f7116c080 100644
--- a/panda/src/audio/audioSound.h
+++ b/panda/src/audio/audioSound.h
@@ -47,11 +47,9 @@ PUBLISHED:
    * concept) to the seek position within a file.  The value starts at 0.0 (the
    * default) and ends at the value given by the length() method.
    *
-   * The current time position will not change while the sound is playing; you
-   * must call play() again to effect the change.  To play the same sound from
-   * a time offset a second time, explicitly set the time position again.  When
-   * looping, the second and later loops will start from the beginning of the
-   * sound.
+   * In the past, this call did nothing if the sound was currently playing, and
+   * it was necessary to call play() to effect the change.  This is no longer
+   * the case; the time change takes effect immediately.
    *
    * If a sound is playing, calling get_time() repeatedly will return different
    * results over time.  e.g.
diff --git a/panda/src/audiotraits/openalAudioSound.cxx b/panda/src/audiotraits/openalAudioSound.cxx
index 5676e63f80..ff7d187a3d 100644
--- a/panda/src/audiotraits/openalAudioSound.cxx
+++ b/panda/src/audiotraits/openalAudioSound.cxx
@@ -564,13 +564,18 @@ push_fresh_buffers() {
 }
 
 /**
- * The next time you call play, the sound will start from the specified
- * offset.
+ * Sets the offset within the sound.  If the sound is currently playing, its
+ * position is updated immediately.
  */
 void OpenALAudioSound::
 set_time(PN_stdfloat time) {
   ReMutexHolder holder(OpenALAudioManager::_lock);
   _start_time = time;
+
+  if (is_playing()) {
+    // Ensure that the position is updated immediately.
+    play();
+  }
 }
 
 /**