diff --git a/freude.py b/freude.py
index f152df7..e4f829c 100755
--- a/freude.py
+++ b/freude.py
@@ -42,14 +42,15 @@ with open(args.output, "w") as f:
                     sys.exit("pitch goes from c3 to b5")
                 duration = int(duration)
                 pause = int(pause)
-                if duration < 1 or pause < 0:
+                if duration < 1 or pause < -1:
                     sys.exit("duration/pause are integer multiples of 1/16th beat")
                 feedrate = int(frequency * 60 / args.steps_per_mm)
                 length = duration * base_duration / 60 * feedrate
                 position += -length if position > 100 else length
                 if position < 0 or position > 200:
                     sys.exit("does not fit in 200x200")
-                pause_ms = int(pause * base_duration)
                 f.write(f"G0 X{position:.6f} Y{position:.6f} F{feedrate}\n")
-                f.write(f"G4 P{pause_ms}\n")
+                if pause != 1:
+                    pause_ms = int(pause * base_duration)
+                    f.write(f"G4 P{pause_ms}\n")
         f.write("G4 S2 ; wait 2 seconds\n")