diff --git a/bin/sbar b/bin/sbar
index 8aab519..9b06676 100755
--- a/bin/sbar
+++ b/bin/sbar
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ update_time() {
 #}
 
 # modules that don't update on their own need to be run at the start for getting their initial value
+while [ -z "$(wpctl get-volume '@DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@')" ]; do
+    sleep 1
+done
 update_vol
 update_backlight