diff --git a/src/emu/diexec.cpp b/src/emu/diexec.cpp
index 3d1ccbd027a..baafcbcdbd0 100644
--- a/src/emu/diexec.cpp
+++ b/src/emu/diexec.cpp
@@ -584,13 +584,14 @@ TIMER_CALLBACK_MEMBER(device_execute_interface::trigger_periodic_interrupt)
 
 void device_execute_interface::pulse_input_line(int irqline, const attotime &duration)
 {
-	// treat instantaneous pulses as ASSERT+CLEAR
+	const attotime expiry = m_pulse_end_timers[irqline]->expire();
 	if (duration == attotime::zero)
 	{
+		// treat instantaneous pulses as ASSERT+CLEAR
 		if (irqline != INPUT_LINE_RESET && !input_edge_triggered(irqline))
 			throw emu_fatalerror("device '%s': zero-width pulse is not allowed for input line %d\n", device().tag(), irqline);
 
-		if (m_pulse_end_timers[irqline]->remaining() == attotime::zero)
+		if (expiry.is_never() || (expiry <= m_scheduler->time()))
 		{
 			set_input_line(irqline, ASSERT_LINE);
 			set_input_line(irqline, CLEAR_LINE);
@@ -599,7 +600,7 @@ void device_execute_interface::pulse_input_line(int irqline, const attotime &dur
 	else
 	{
 		const attotime target_time = local_time() + duration;
-		if (target_time > m_pulse_end_timers[irqline]->expire())
+		if (expiry.is_never() || (target_time > expiry))
 		{
 			set_input_line(irqline, ASSERT_LINE);