diff --git a/clutter/clutter/clutter-frame-clock.c b/clutter/clutter/clutter-frame-clock.c
index 0cc1f2eb4..a07774cfb 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter/clutter-frame-clock.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter/clutter-frame-clock.c
@@ -931,7 +931,7 @@ clutter_frame_clock_dispatch (ClutterFrameClock *frame_clock,
                              frame_clock->refresh_interval_us;
 
   lateness_us = time_us - ideal_dispatch_time_us;
-  if (lateness_us < 0 || lateness_us >= frame_clock->refresh_interval_us)
+  if (lateness_us < 0 || lateness_us >= frame_clock->refresh_interval_us / 4)
     frame_clock->last_dispatch_lateness_us = 0;
   else
     frame_clock->last_dispatch_lateness_us = lateness_us;