diff --git a/gst/debugutils/gstnavseek.c b/gst/debugutils/gstnavseek.c
index c7b674dbdc..5dedf604e5 100644
--- a/gst/debugutils/gstnavseek.c
+++ b/gst/debugutils/gstnavseek.c
@@ -211,6 +211,23 @@ gst_navseek_segseek (GstNavSeek * navseek)
   gst_object_unref (peer_pad);
 }
 
+static void
+gst_navseek_toggle_play_pause (GstNavSeek * navseek)
+{
+  GstStateChangeReturn sret;
+  GstState current, pending, state;
+
+  sret = gst_element_get_state (GST_ELEMENT (navseek), &current, &pending, 0);
+  if (sret == GST_STATE_CHANGE_FAILURE)
+    return;
+
+  state = (pending != GST_STATE_VOID_PENDING) ? pending : current;
+
+  gst_element_post_message (GST_ELEMENT (navseek),
+      gst_message_new_request_state (GST_OBJECT (navseek),
+          (state == GST_STATE_PLAYING) ? GST_STATE_PAUSED : GST_STATE_PLAYING));
+}
+
 static gboolean
 gst_navseek_handle_src_event (GstPad * pad, GstEvent * event)
 {
@@ -263,6 +280,8 @@ gst_navseek_handle_src_event (GstPad * pad, GstEvent * event)
         } else if (strcmp (key, "n") == 0) {
           /* normal speed */
           gst_navseek_change_playback_rate (navseek, 1.0);
+        } else if (strcmp (key, "space") == 0) {
+          gst_navseek_toggle_play_pause (navseek);
         }
       } else {
         break;