diff --git a/mbtask/ping.c b/mbtask/ping.c
index 4fe8fc68..fd74f5ba 100644
--- a/mbtask/ping.c
+++ b/mbtask/ping.c
@@ -407,7 +407,8 @@ void check_ping(void)
 				rescan = TRUE;
 			    }
 			}
-			pingstate = P_SENT;
+			pingtime = time(NULL) + 5;      // 5 secs pause until next ping
+			pingstate = P_PAUSE;
 			break;
     }
 }