diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-top.c b/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
index cd2900ac473f..280448114add 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-top.c
@@ -633,7 +633,9 @@ repeat:
 	delay_msecs = top->delay_secs * MSEC_PER_SEC;
 	set_term_quiet_input(&save);
 	/* trash return*/
-	getc(stdin);
+	clearerr(stdin);
+	if (poll(&stdin_poll, 1, 0) > 0)
+		getc(stdin);
 
 	while (!done) {
 		perf_top__print_sym_table(top);