diff --git a/src/emu/sound/pokey.c b/src/emu/sound/pokey.c
index e00d72049c2..f9d081f1eb7 100644
--- a/src/emu/sound/pokey.c
+++ b/src/emu/sound/pokey.c
@@ -864,13 +864,11 @@ UINT8 pokey_device::read(offs_t offset)
 		if( m_AUDCTL & POLY9 )
 		{
 			data = m_poly9[m_p9] & 0xff;
-			synchronize(SYNC_NOOP); /* force resync */
 			LOG_RAND(("POKEY '%s' rand9[$%05x]: $%02x\n", tag(), m_p9, data));
 		}
 		else
 		{
 			data = (m_poly17[m_p17] >> 8) & 0xff;
-			synchronize(SYNC_NOOP); /* force resync */
 			LOG_RAND(("POKEY '%s' rand17[$%05x]: $%02x\n", tag(), m_p17, data));
 		}
 		break;
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/tempest.c b/src/mame/drivers/tempest.c
index 14874caaf66..53043544fae 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/tempest.c
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/tempest.c
@@ -595,6 +595,10 @@ static MACHINE_CONFIG_START( tempest, tempest_state )
 	/* basic machine hardware */
 	MCFG_CPU_ADD("maincpu", M6502, MASTER_CLOCK / 8)
 	MCFG_CPU_PROGRAM_MAP(main_map)
+
+	/* needed to ensure routine at ae1c passes checks and does not corrupt data */
+	MCFG_QUANTUM_PERFECT_CPU("maincpu")
+
 	MCFG_CPU_PERIODIC_INT_DRIVER(tempest_state, irq0_line_assert,  (double)MASTER_CLOCK / 4096 / 12)
 	MCFG_WATCHDOG_TIME_INIT(attotime::from_hz(CLOCK_3KHZ / 256))