diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 69a10cd..70ccdfa 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ fn init(anki: &AnkiClient) {
 }
 
 fn prompt(anki: &AnkiClient) {
+    flush_read();
     // needs to be done twice to account for lag on the other end
     anki.request(GuiCurrentCardRequest {}).unwrap();
     let card = anki.request(GuiCurrentCardRequest {}).unwrap();
@@ -88,7 +89,6 @@ fn prompt(anki: &AnkiClient) {
                 KeyCode::Enter => break,
                 KeyCode::Char('u') => {
                     anki.request(GuiUndoRequest {}).unwrap();
-                    event::read().unwrap();
                     return;
                 }
                 _ => (),
@@ -111,7 +111,6 @@ fn prompt(anki: &AnkiClient) {
                 KeyCode::Char(GOOD) => break Ease::Good,
                 KeyCode::Char('u') => {
                     anki.request(GuiUndoRequest {}).unwrap();
-                    event::read().unwrap();
                     return;
                 }
                 _ => (),
@@ -120,7 +119,16 @@ fn prompt(anki: &AnkiClient) {
         };
     };
     anki.request(GuiAnswerCardRequest { ease: ease }).unwrap();
-    event::read().unwrap();
+}
+
+fn flush_read() {
+    loop {
+        if event::poll(Duration::from_secs(0)).unwrap() {
+            event::read().unwrap();
+        } else {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 fn clear_with_bar(anki: &AnkiClient, current_card: &GuiCurrentCardResponse) {