diff --git a/src/emu/machine/mos6530n.c b/src/emu/machine/mos6530n.c
index 667399ebba5..5be58765405 100644
--- a/src/emu/machine/mos6530n.c
+++ b/src/emu/machine/mos6530n.c
@@ -809,7 +809,7 @@ void mos6530_base_t::live_run(const attotime &limit)
 			if (LOG_TIMER) logerror("%s %s '%s' timer %02x IRQ 0\n", cur_live.tm.as_string(), name(), tag(), cur_live.value);
 
 			if (!cur_live.value) {
-				live_abort();
+				cur_live.state = IDLE;
 				return;
 			}