stopImmediatePropagation

I have listener added to the stage like so:

stage.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN, whatever);

I also have a few buttons on the stage.
now when i click the button i dont want for a stage to reveive mouse_down event, is it possible somehow?

i tried putting e.stopImmediatePropagation() in my button click function but it doesnt do the trick…