diff --git a/output.c b/output.c
index 2b4aa3f..775e90e 100644
--- a/output.c
+++ b/output.c
@@ -241,9 +241,8 @@
 
 		wrote = output.write_cb(out_frames, silence, gainL, gainR, cross_gain_in, cross_gain_out, &cross_ptr);
 
-		if (wrote < 0) {
-			LOG_WARN("error in write cb");
-			frames -= out_frames;
+		if (wrote <= 0) {
+			frames -= size;
 			break;
 		} else {
 			out_frames = (frames_t)wrote;
diff --git a/output_alsa.c b/output_alsa.c
index 5526999..4a35ea2 100644
--- a/output_alsa.c
+++ b/output_alsa.c
@@ -589,7 +589,13 @@
 		}
 
 		// process frames
-		_output_frames(avail);
+		frames_t wrote = _output_frames(avail);
+
+		// some output devices such as alsa null refuse any data, avoid spinning
+		if (!wrote) {
+			LOG_SDEBUG("wrote 0 - sleeping");
+			usleep(10000);
+		}
 
 		UNLOCK;
 	}