diff --git a/packages/vidstack/player/styles/default/poster.css b/packages/vidstack/player/styles/default/poster.css
index 090db3720..b48e3c90f 100644
--- a/packages/vidstack/player/styles/default/poster.css
+++ b/packages/vidstack/player/styles/default/poster.css
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@
   display: block;
   contain: content;
   position: absolute;
-  top: 0;
+  top: 50%;
+  transform: translateY(-50%);
   left: 0;
   opacity: 0;
   width: 100%;