diff --git a/stepmania/src/arch/Sound/RageSoundDriver_ALSA9_Software.cpp b/stepmania/src/arch/Sound/RageSoundDriver_ALSA9_Software.cpp
index 548a9f9fb3..e4883115b5 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/arch/Sound/RageSoundDriver_ALSA9_Software.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/arch/Sound/RageSoundDriver_ALSA9_Software.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include "RageUtil.h"
 #include "RageTimer.h"
 #include "ALSA9Dynamic.h"
+#include "PrefsManager.h"
 
 #include "archutils/Unix/GetSysInfo.h"
 
@@ -172,6 +173,9 @@ try {
 	if( sys == "Linux" && vers >= 0x020600 )
 		max_writeahead = max_writeahead_linux_26;
 
+	if( PREFSMAN->m_iSoundWriteAhead )
+		max_writeahead = PREFSMAN->m_iSoundWriteAhead;
+
 	pcm = new Alsa9Buf( Alsa9Buf::HW_DONT_CARE, channels, samplerate );
 	
 	MixingThread.SetName( "RageSound_ALSA9_Software" );