diff --git a/input/input.c b/input/input.c
index 04b7bff576..7589a3bc5c 100644
--- a/input/input.c
+++ b/input/input.c
@@ -708,6 +708,8 @@ mp_input_read_cmd(mp_input_fd_t* mp_fd, char** ret) {
 	mp_msg(MSGT_INPUT,MSGL_ERR,"Error while reading cmd fd %d: %s\n",mp_fd->fd,strerror(errno));
       case MP_INPUT_NOTHING:
 	return r;
+      case MP_INPUT_RETRY:
+	continue;
       }
       // EOF ?
     } else if(r == 0) {
diff --git a/input/input.h b/input/input.h
index 43ea58d69e..a4751e788b 100644
--- a/input/input.h
+++ b/input/input.h
@@ -115,6 +115,8 @@
 #define MP_INPUT_DEAD -2
 // No input was available
 #define MP_INPUT_NOTHING -3
+//! Input will be available if you try again
+#define MP_INPUT_RETRY -4
 
 // For the key's drivers, if possible you can send key up and key down
 // events. Key up is the default, to send a key down you must use the 
diff --git a/input/lirc.c b/input/lirc.c
index 03730e25aa..88dd27dcf6 100644
--- a/input/lirc.c
+++ b/input/lirc.c
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ int mp_input_lirc_read(int fd,char* dest, int s) {
   else if(cmd_buf) // return the first command in the buffer
     return mp_input_lirc_read(fd,dest,s);
   else
-    return MP_INPUT_NOTHING;
+    return MP_INPUT_RETRY;
 
 }