diff --git a/homeassistant/components/media_player/vlc.py b/homeassistant/components/media_player/vlc.py
index ee4fef3cfde..da6e9a696b9 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/media_player/vlc.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/media_player/vlc.py
@@ -62,8 +62,10 @@ class VlcDevice(MediaPlayerDevice):
         else:
             self._state = STATE_IDLE
         self._media_duration = self._vlc.get_length()/1000
-        self._media_position = self._vlc.get_position() * self._media_duration
-        self._media_position_updated_at = dt_util.utcnow()
+        position = self._vlc.get_position() * self._media_duration
+        if position != self._media_position:
+            self._media_position_updated_at = dt_util.utcnow()
+            self._media_position = position
 
         self._volume = self._vlc.audio_get_volume() / 100
         self._muted = (self._vlc.audio_get_mute() == 1)