diff --git a/test.py b/test.py
index 9ee63ea..0794191 100644
--- a/test.py
+++ b/test.py
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ def test_pipes_stderr():
     with pipes(stdout=stdout, stderr=STDOUT) as (_stdout, _stderr):
         printf(u"Hellø")
         libc.fflush(c_stdout_p)
+        time.sleep(0.1)
         printf_err(u"Hi, stdérr")
         assert _stdout is stdout
         assert _stderr is None
diff --git a/wurlitzer.py b/wurlitzer.py
index 93217b7..cf853bb 100644
--- a/wurlitzer.py
+++ b/wurlitzer.py
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ def forwarder():
                 poller.register(pipe_, select.POLLIN | select.POLLPRI)
 
             while pipes:
-                events = poller.poll(flush_interval)
+                events = poller.poll(int(flush_interval * 1000))
                 #r = all([(r_[1] == (select.POLLIN | select.POLLPRI)) for r_ in events])
                 if events:
                     # found something to read, don't block select until