diff --git a/pdcurses/kernel.c b/pdcurses/kernel.c
index 48e1e4d1..e6c9e052 100644
--- a/pdcurses/kernel.c
+++ b/pdcurses/kernel.c
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ int napms(int ms)
         curs_set(curs_state);
     }
 
-    if (ms)
+    if( ms > 0)
         PDC_napms(ms);
 
     return OK;