diff --git a/src/logic/BackgroundWork.swift b/src/logic/BackgroundWork.swift
index a188dc6a..dd2e9e5f 100644
--- a/src/logic/BackgroundWork.swift
+++ b/src/logic/BackgroundWork.swift
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ class BackgroundThreadWithRunLoop {
             self.runLoop = CFRunLoopGetCurrent()
             while !self.thread!.isCancelled {
                 CFRunLoopRun()
+                // avoid tight loop while waiting for the first runloop source to be added
+                Thread.sleep(forTimeInterval: 0.1)
             }
         }
         thread!.name = name