diff --git a/libraries/liblutil/meter.c b/libraries/liblutil/meter.c
index 7b5543c700..8ac592f168 100644
--- a/libraries/liblutil/meter.c
+++ b/libraries/liblutil/meter.c
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ lutil_meter_update (
 
 	frac = ((double)position) / ((double) meter->goal_value);
 	elapsed = now - meter->start_time;
-	if (frac <= 0.0) return 0;
+	if (frac <= 0.0 || elapsed == 0) return 0;
 	if (frac >= 1.0) {
 		rc = meter->display->display_update(
 			&meter->display_data,