diff --git a/flashrom.c b/flashrom.c
index afab57cb6..092572ea8 100644
--- a/flashrom.c
+++ b/flashrom.c
@@ -487,7 +487,8 @@ void chip_readn(const struct flashctx *flash, uint8_t *buf, chipaddr addr,
 
 void programmer_delay(int usecs)
 {
-	programmer_table[programmer].delay(usecs);
+	if (usecs > 0)
+		programmer_table[programmer].delay(usecs);
 }
 
 void map_flash_registers(struct flashctx *flash)