diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index 2b7a20d..ae31389 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -66,11 +66,15 @@ export function Interpreter(machine:Machine_T, initialContext:any, initialStateN
   return interpreter;
 }
 export function start(interpreter:Interpreter_T){
-  interpreter.isPaused = false;
-  processEvents(interpreter);
+  if(interpreter.isPaused === true){
+    interpreter.isPaused = false;
+    processEvents(interpreter);
+  }
 }
 export function pause(interpreter:Interpreter_T){
-  interpreter.isPaused = true;
+  if(interpreter.isPaused === false){
+    interpreter.isPaused = true;
+  }
 }
 
 /**  Helper function for `send()`