Debian 12 VLC leaves system sounds blocked

[Roger Price <debian@rogerprice.org>]

Before running VLC I hear system sounds, e.g. a cron job has Biff barking each 
hour.  If I then play a music mp4 with VLC, I hear the music, but when the music 
stops I no longer hear Biff.  VLC inhibits system sounds, and leaves the 
inhibition in place.  VLC -> Tools -> Preferences -> Audio -> Show-Settings=All 
has nothing to clear this.

Restarting sound.target has no effect.  I have the same problem with mplayer.

Is there some way of restoring system sound, short of rebooting ?  Roger