diff --git a/kivy_garden/hover/__init__.py b/kivy_garden/hover/__init__.py
index 3767bf0..204a657 100644
--- a/kivy_garden/hover/__init__.py
+++ b/kivy_garden/hover/__init__.py
@@ -252,10 +252,11 @@ def start(self):
             global Clock
             if not Clock:
                 from kivy.clock import Clock
-            self._clock_event = Clock.schedule_interval(
-                self._dispatch_from_clock,
-                self.event_repeat_timeout
-            )
+            if not self._clock_event:
+                self._clock_event = Clock.schedule_interval(
+                    self._dispatch_from_clock,
+                    self.event_repeat_timeout
+                )
 
     def stop(self):
         for me_list in self._events.values():