diff --git a/output_alsa.c b/output_alsa.c
index a3bdb24..bdb26ff 100644
--- a/output_alsa.c
+++ b/output_alsa.c
@@ -597,13 +597,13 @@
 		// process frames
 		frames_t wrote = _output_frames(avail);
 
+		UNLOCK;
+
 		// some output devices such as alsa null refuse any data, avoid spinning
 		if (!wrote) {
 			LOG_SDEBUG("wrote 0 - sleeping");
 			usleep(10000);
 		}
-
-		UNLOCK;
 	}
 
 	return 0;