diff --git a/src/thread/pthread/SDL_syssem.c b/src/thread/pthread/SDL_syssem.c
index 91932f64c..b10f9b0df 100644
--- a/src/thread/pthread/SDL_syssem.c
+++ b/src/thread/pthread/SDL_syssem.c
@@ -156,10 +156,10 @@ SDL_SemWaitTimeout(SDL_sem * sem, Uint32 timeout)
 #else
     end = SDL_GetTicks() + timeout;
     while ((retval = SDL_SemTryWait(sem)) == SDL_MUTEX_TIMEDOUT) {
-        if (SDL_GetTicks() >= end) {
+        if ((Sint32)(SDL_GetTicks() - end) >= 0) {
             break;
         }
-        SDL_Delay(0);
+        SDL_Delay(1);
     }
 #endif /* HAVE_SEM_TIMEDWAIT */