diff --git a/input/input.c b/input/input.c
index 5d6cc08ed8..c43afbfa4f 100644
--- a/input/input.c
+++ b/input/input.c
@@ -1215,7 +1215,7 @@ static mp_cmd_t *read_events(int time, int paused)
 	}
     }
 #else
-    if (!got_cmd)
+    if (!got_cmd && time)
 	usec_sleep(time * 1000);
 #endif