diff --git a/player/core.h b/player/core.h
index 11421ce485..a60e13a3e7 100644
--- a/player/core.h
+++ b/player/core.h
@@ -184,6 +184,7 @@ typedef struct MPContext {
     int osd_function;
     double osd_function_visible;
     double osd_last_update;
+    bool osd_force_update;
     struct osd_progbar_state osd_progbar;
 
     struct playlist *playlist;
diff --git a/player/osd.c b/player/osd.c
index 26fee5dec3..757af6a4c6 100644
--- a/player/osd.c
+++ b/player/osd.c
@@ -287,6 +287,7 @@ static mp_osd_msg_t *add_osd_msg(struct MPContext *mpctx, int level, int time)
         .msg = "",
         .time = time / 1000.0,
     });
+    mpctx->osd_force_update = true;
     return mpctx->osd_msg_stack;
 }
 
@@ -519,20 +520,23 @@ static void add_seek_osd_messages(struct MPContext *mpctx)
     mpctx->add_osd_seek_info = 0;
 }
 
-/**
- * \brief Update the OSD message line.
- *
- * This function displays the current message on the vo OSD or on the term.
- * If the stack is empty and the OSD level is high enough the timer
- * is displayed (only on the vo OSD).
- *
- */
-
+// Update the OSD text (both on VO and terminal status line).
 void update_osd_msg(struct MPContext *mpctx)
 {
     struct MPOpts *opts = mpctx->opts;
     struct osd_state *osd = mpctx->osd;
 
+    if (!mpctx->osd_force_update) {
+        double now = mp_time_sec();
+        double delay = 0.050; // update the OSD at most this often
+        double diff = now - mpctx->osd_last_update;
+        if (diff < delay) {
+            mpctx->sleeptime = MPMIN(mpctx->sleeptime, delay - diff);
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+    mpctx->osd_force_update = false;
+
     add_seek_osd_messages(mpctx);
     double pos = get_current_pos_ratio(mpctx, false);
     update_osd_bar(mpctx, OSD_BAR_SEEK, 0, 1, MPCLAMP(pos, 0, 1));
diff --git a/player/playloop.c b/player/playloop.c
index 00067302f2..c9eba1b9c2 100644
--- a/player/playloop.c
+++ b/player/playloop.c
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ void pause_player(struct MPContext *mpctx)
     mpctx->step_frames = 0;
     mpctx->time_frame -= get_relative_time(mpctx);
     mpctx->osd_function = 0;
+    mpctx->osd_force_update = true;
     mpctx->paused_for_cache = false;
 
     if (mpctx->ao && mpctx->d_audio)
@@ -112,6 +113,7 @@ void unpause_player(struct MPContext *mpctx)
         goto end;
     mpctx->paused = false;
     mpctx->osd_function = 0;
+    mpctx->osd_force_update = true;
 
     if (mpctx->ao && mpctx->d_audio)
         ao_resume(mpctx->ao);
diff --git a/player/video.c b/player/video.c
index 028132860f..61c7914920 100644
--- a/player/video.c
+++ b/player/video.c
@@ -776,8 +776,9 @@ void write_video(struct MPContext *mpctx, double endpts)
     mpctx->last_vo_pts = mpctx->video_pts;
     mpctx->playback_pts = mpctx->video_pts;
 
-    update_subtitles(mpctx);
+    mpctx->osd_force_update = true;
     update_osd_msg(mpctx);
+    update_subtitles(mpctx);
 
     vo_queue_frame(vo, mpctx->next_frame[0], pts, duration);
     mpctx->next_frame[0] = NULL;