diff --git a/code/map_data_debug.js b/code/map_data_debug.js
index 7796b809..0aff2b37 100644
--- a/code/map_data_debug.js
+++ b/code/map_data_debug.js
@@ -72,8 +72,11 @@ window.RenderDebugTiles.prototype.setState = function(id,state) {
 
 window.RenderDebugTiles.prototype.startTimer = function(waitTime) {
   var _this = this;
-  if (!this.timer) {
-    this.timer = setTimeout ( function() { _this.timer = undefined; _this.runClearPass(); }, waitTime );
+  if (!_this.timer) {
+    // a timeout of 0 firing the actual timeout - helps things run smoother
+    _this.timer = setTimeout ( function() {
+      _this.timer = setTimeout ( function() { _this.timer = undefined; _this.runClearPass(); }, waitTime );
+    }, 0);
   }
 }