diff --git a/lib/media/streaming_engine.js b/lib/media/streaming_engine.js
index 76064c7eca..d1557a4233 100644
--- a/lib/media/streaming_engine.js
+++ b/lib/media/streaming_engine.js
@@ -779,6 +779,8 @@ shaka.media.StreamingEngine = class {
    * Called when |mediaState|'s update timer has expired.
    *
    * @param {!shaka.media.StreamingEngine.MediaState_} mediaState
+   * @suppress {suspiciousCode} The compiler assumes that updateTimer can't
+   *   change during the await, and so complains about the null check.
    * @private
    */
   async onUpdate_(mediaState) {