diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sound/SoundManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sound/SoundManager.java
index aa718ee0f..4d9f6a69c 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/sound/SoundManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/sound/SoundManager.java
@@ -1158,7 +1158,7 @@ public class SoundManager
 
         /** The maximum time a spooler will wait for a stream before
          * deciding to shut down. */
-        protected static final long MAX_WAIT_TIME = 30000L;
+        protected static final long MAX_WAIT_TIME = 1000L;
 
         /** The maximum number of spoolers we'll allow. This is a lot. */
         protected static final int MAX_SPOOLERS = 12;