diff --git a/apps/pcmbuf.c b/apps/pcmbuf.c
index 6e2c51c..773e97c 100644
--- a/apps/pcmbuf.c
+++ b/apps/pcmbuf.c
@@ -204,6 +204,13 @@
 
 /**************************************/
 
+/* start PCM if callback says it's alright */
+static void start_audio_playback(void)
+{
+     if (audio_pcmbuf_may_play())
+        pcmbuf_play_start();
+}
+
 /* Return number of commited bytes in buffer (committed chunks count as
    a full chunk even if only partially filled) */
 static size_t pcmbuf_unplayed_bytes(void)
@@ -492,8 +499,8 @@
         trigger_cpu_boost();
 
         /* If pre-buffered to the watermark, start playback */
-        if (!pcmbuf_data_critical() && audio_pcmbuf_may_play())
-            pcmbuf_play_start();
+        if (!pcmbuf_data_critical())
+            start_audio_playback();
     }
 
     void *buf;
@@ -672,15 +679,22 @@
 
 void pcmbuf_start_track_change(enum pcm_track_change_type type)
 {
+    /* Commit all outstanding data before starting next track - tracks don't
+       comingle inside a single buffer chunk */
+    commit_if_needed(COMMIT_ALL_DATA);
+
+    if (type == TRACK_CHANGE_AUTO_PILEUP)
+    {
+        /* Fill might not have been above watermark */
+        start_audio_playback();
+        return;
+    }
+
 #ifdef HAVE_CROSSFADE
     bool crossfade = false;
 #endif
     bool auto_skip = type != TRACK_CHANGE_MANUAL;
 
-    /* Commit all outstanding data before starting next track - tracks don't
-       comingle inside a single buffer chunk */
-    commit_if_needed(COMMIT_ALL_DATA);
-
     /* Update position key so that:
        1) Positions are keyed to the track to which they belong for sync
           purposes
@@ -695,9 +709,8 @@
     {
         crossfade_cancel();
 
-        /* If end of all data, force playback */
-        if (audio_pcmbuf_may_play())
-            pcmbuf_play_start();
+        /* Fill might not have been above watermark */
+        start_audio_playback();
     }
 #ifdef HAVE_CROSSFADE
     /* Determine whether this track change needs to crossfaded and how */
diff --git a/apps/pcmbuf.h b/apps/pcmbuf.h
index e16f861..33422bb 100644
--- a/apps/pcmbuf.h
+++ b/apps/pcmbuf.h
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
     TRACK_CHANGE_NONE = 0,     /* No track change pending */
     TRACK_CHANGE_MANUAL,       /* Manual change (from user) */
     TRACK_CHANGE_AUTO,         /* Automatic change (from codec) */
+    TRACK_CHANGE_AUTO_PILEUP,  /* Auto change during pending change */
     TRACK_CHANGE_END_OF_DATA,  /* Expect no more data (from codec) */
 };
 void pcmbuf_monitor_track_change(bool monitor);
diff --git a/apps/playback.c b/apps/playback.c
index 8a25375..54410ad 100644
--- a/apps/playback.c
+++ b/apps/playback.c
@@ -2376,9 +2376,16 @@
            Skipping: There was already a skip in progress, remember it and
                      allow no further progress until the PCM from the previous
                      song has finished
+
+           This function will be reentered upon completing the existing
+           transition in order to do the one that was just tried (below)
          */
         codec_skip_pending = true;
         codec_skip_status = status;
+
+        /* PCM buffer must know; audio could still be filling and hasn't
+           yet reached the play watermark */
+        pcmbuf_start_track_change(TRACK_CHANGE_AUTO_PILEUP);
         return;
     }