diff --git a/platform/ios/MGLMapboxEvents.m b/platform/ios/MGLMapboxEvents.m
index a0f87eeabe6..aab1baf9a96 100644
--- a/platform/ios/MGLMapboxEvents.m
+++ b/platform/ios/MGLMapboxEvents.m
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ - (void)validate {
 
 - (void)validateUpdatingLocation {
     MGLAssertIsMainThread();
-    if (self.paused) {
+    if (self.paused || UIApplication.sharedApplication.applicationState == UIApplicationStateBackground) {
         [self stopUpdatingLocation];
     } else {
         CLAuthorizationStatus authStatus = [CLLocationManager authorizationStatus];