diff --git a/src/os_unix.c b/src/os_unix.c
index f0a5621..c78e7bf 100644
--- a/src/os_unix.c
+++ b/src/os_unix.c
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@
 		|| interrupted
 #endif
 		|| wait_time > 0
-		|| !did_start_blocking)
+		|| (wtime < 0 && !did_start_blocking))
 	    continue;
 
 	/* no character available or interrupted */