diff --git a/src/modules/custom.cpp b/src/modules/custom.cpp
index c6104e40..7fa5cf01 100644
--- a/src/modules/custom.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/custom.cpp
@@ -39,12 +39,16 @@ waybar::modules::Custom::~Custom() {
 }
 
 void waybar::modules::Custom::delayWorker() {
+  if (!config_["exec"].isString() && !config_["exec-if"].isString()) {
+    dp.emit();
+    return;
+  }
+
   thread_ = [this] {
     for (int i : this->pid_children_) {
       int status;
       waitpid(i, &status, 0);
     }
-
     this->pid_children_.clear();
 
     bool can_update = true;
@@ -61,10 +65,6 @@ void waybar::modules::Custom::delayWorker() {
       }
       dp.emit();
     }
-    if (!config_["exec"].isString() && !config_["exec-if"].isString()) {
-      thread_.stop();
-      return;
-    }
     thread_.sleep_for(interval_);
   };
 }