diff --git a/MicroDexed.ino b/MicroDexed.ino
index cf28bcb..4c851ad 100644
--- a/MicroDexed.ino
+++ b/MicroDexed.ino
@@ -374,6 +374,8 @@ void setup()
 {
 #ifdef DEBUG
   Serial.begin(SERIAL_SPEED);
+#else
+  delay(50); // seems to be needed when no serial debugging is enabled
 #endif
 
 #ifdef DISPLAY_LCD_SPI