diff --git a/homeassistant/components/media_player/cmus.py b/homeassistant/components/media_player/cmus.py
index de946b3e349..136d26974fe 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/media_player/cmus.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/media_player/cmus.py
@@ -90,11 +90,9 @@ class CmusDevice(MediaPlayerDevice):
     @property
     def state(self):
         """Return the media state."""
-        if 'status' not in self.status:
-            self.update()
-        if self.status['status'] == 'playing':
+        if self.status.get('status') == 'playing':
             return STATE_PLAYING
-        elif self.status['status'] == 'paused':
+        elif self.status.get('status') == 'paused':
             return STATE_PAUSED
         else:
             return STATE_OFF