diff --git a/desktop-client/main.py b/desktop-client/main.py
index c9098bb..926c4c7 100644
--- a/desktop-client/main.py
+++ b/desktop-client/main.py
@@ -517,15 +517,17 @@ class VlcSyncApp(QMainWindow):
         self.join_room_btn.setText("Join Room")
         self.chat_messages.setHtml("Welcome to the room! 👋")
         
+        state = msg.get("state", {})
+        start_time_s = state.get("position", 0.0) if state else 0.0
+        
         if self.local_file_path:
-            self.vlc_player.load_media(self.local_file_path)
+            self.vlc_player.load_media(self.local_file_path, start_time_s)
             self.vlc_player.set_volume(self.volume_slider.value())
             
         users = msg.get("users", [])
         if users:
             self.on_users_updated(users)
             
-        state = msg.get("state", {})
         if state:
             self.on_sync_event(state)
             
diff --git a/desktop-client/vlc_player.py b/desktop-client/vlc_player.py
index 809295f..af05d5c 100644
--- a/desktop-client/vlc_player.py
+++ b/desktop-client/vlc_player.py
@@ -43,8 +43,10 @@ class VLCSyncPlayer:
         self.ignore_next_event = False
         self.lock = threading.Lock()
 
-    def load_media(self, path: str):
+    def load_media(self, path: str, start_time_s: float = 0.0):
         media = self.instance.media_new(path)
+        if start_time_s > 0:
+            media.add_option(f"start-time={start_time_s}")
         self.media_player.set_media(media)
 
     def play(self):