diff --git a/otk/application.cc b/otk/application.cc
index e4de62c1..efe86d15 100644
--- a/otk/application.cc
+++ b/otk/application.cc
@@ -63,6 +63,8 @@ void Application::run(void)
 
   while (_appwidget_count > 0) {
     dispatchEvents();
+    if (_appwidget_count <= 0)
+      break;
     Timer::dispatchTimers(); // fire pending events
   }
 }