diff --git a/effects/fade.py b/effects/fade.py
index 8b2d2918..27b3ec20 100644
--- a/effects/fade.py
+++ b/effects/fade.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ colorEndTime   = float(hyperion.args.get('color-end-time', 1000)) / 1000
 repeat         = hyperion.args.get('repeat-count', 0)
 maintainEndCol = hyperion.args.get('maintain-end-color', True)
 minStepTime    = float(hyperion.latchTime)/1000.0
-if minStepTime == 0: minStepTime = 1
+if minStepTime == 0: minStepTime = 0.001
 currentR = currentG = currentB = 0
 
 # create color table for fading from start to end color
diff --git a/effects/random.py b/effects/random.py
index c19e85e3..f6767a58 100644
--- a/effects/random.py
+++ b/effects/random.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ ledData    = bytearray()
 ledDataBuf = bytearray()
 color_step = []
 minStepTime= float(hyperion.latchTime)/1000.0
-if minStepTime == 0: minStepTime = 1
+if minStepTime == 0: minStepTime = 0.001
 fadeSteps  = min(256.0, math.floor(sleepTime/minStepTime))
 if fadeSteps == 0: fadeSteps = 1
 
diff --git a/effects/swirl.py b/effects/swirl.py
index 8172833a..47d8944b 100644
--- a/effects/swirl.py
+++ b/effects/swirl.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def getSTime(rt, steps = 360):
 	
 	# adapt sleeptime to hardware
 	minStepTime= float(hyperion.latchTime)/1000.0
-	if minStepTime == 0: minStepTime = 1
+	if minStepTime == 0: minStepTime = 0.001
 	if minStepTime > sleepTime:
 		sleepTime = minStepTime
 	return sleepTime
diff --git a/effects/traces.py b/effects/traces.py
index 1183a47f..37338b14 100644
--- a/effects/traces.py
+++ b/effects/traces.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ for i in range(hyperion.ledCount):
 
 sleepTime   = float(hyperion.args.get('speed', 1.0)) * 0.004
 minStepTime = float(hyperion.latchTime)/1000.0
-if minStepTime == 0: minStepTime = 1
+if minStepTime == 0: minStepTime = 0.001
 factor      = 1 if sleepTime > minStepTime else int(math.ceil(minStepTime/sleepTime))
 
 runners = [