diff --git a/src/mame/audio/cps3.c b/src/mame/audio/cps3.c
index eb66508bbf3..a5a97d48fdd 100644
--- a/src/mame/audio/cps3.c
+++ b/src/mame/audio/cps3.c
@@ -109,8 +109,7 @@ void cps3_sound_device::sound_stream_update(sound_stream &stream, stream_sample_
 					}
 					else
 					{
-						// key off
-						m_key &= ~(1 << i);
+						// sample end (don't force key off)
 						break;
 					}
 				}