Project Panel audio preview does not play via Space or Play button (Premiere Pro 26.0)

Premiere Pro 26.0 – Windows

Audio preview in the Project Panel does not play when pressing Space
or clicking the Play button in the Preview Area.

Audio plays correctly on the Timeline and in the Source Monitor.

Preview starts playing only after manually dragging the preview playhead.
After switching to another audio clip, the Project Panel loses focus
and Space stops working again.

This worked correctly in Premiere Pro 25.x.
 

1. Select audio file in Project Panel
2. Press Space – audio does not play
3. Drag preview playhead manually – audio starts
4. Select another audio file
5. Press Space – audio does not play again