diff --git a/src/systemcmds/mixer/mixer.cpp b/src/systemcmds/mixer/mixer.cpp
index 41add4973a..8889f4531f 100644
--- a/src/systemcmds/mixer/mixer.cpp
+++ b/src/systemcmds/mixer/mixer.cpp
@@ -100,6 +100,9 @@ usage(const char *reason)
 static int
 load(const char *devname, const char *fname)
 {
+	// sleep a while to ensure device has been set up
+	usleep(20000);
+	
 	int		dev;
 	char		buf[2048];