diff --git a/sway/input/cursor.c b/sway/input/cursor.c
index f5c2bd17..3e6b147e 100644
--- a/sway/input/cursor.c
+++ b/sway/input/cursor.c
@@ -1041,6 +1041,8 @@ struct sway_cursor *sway_cursor_create(struct sway_seat *seat) {
 
 	cursor->hide_source = wl_event_loop_add_timer(server.wl_event_loop,
 			hide_notify, cursor);
+	wl_event_source_timer_update(
+			cursor->hide_source, cursor_get_timeout(cursor));
 
 	wl_list_init(&cursor->image_surface_destroy.link);
 	cursor->image_surface_destroy.notify = handle_image_surface_destroy;