diff --git a/usr.sbin/moused/moused.c b/usr.sbin/moused/moused.c
index f647f4381440..47b2541e9035 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/moused/moused.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/moused/moused.c
@@ -1090,7 +1090,8 @@ moused(void)
 	    FD_SET(rodent.mremcfd, &fds);
 
 	c = select(FD_SETSIZE, &fds, NULL, NULL,
-		   (rodent.flags & Emulate3Button) ? &timeout : NULL);
+		   ((rodent.flags & Emulate3Button) &&
+		    S_DELAYED(mouse_button_state)) ? &timeout : NULL);
 	if (c < 0) {                    /* error */
 	    logwarn("failed to read from mouse");
 	    continue;