diff --git a/Themes/_fallback/BGAnimations/_wait.lua b/Themes/_fallback/BGAnimations/_wait.lua
index 70d72b18be..c39ccb136e 100644
--- a/Themes/_fallback/BGAnimations/_wait.lua
+++ b/Themes/_fallback/BGAnimations/_wait.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
 local waitTime = ...
-assert(waitTime,"[_wait] requires a wait time")
+
+-- default to 1 second if parameter is missing
+if not waitTime then waitTime = 1 end
+
 return Def.Actor{ OnCommand=cmd(sleep,waitTime); };
\ No newline at end of file