diff --git a/artiq/gateware/drtio/rt_controller_master.py b/artiq/gateware/drtio/rt_controller_master.py
index fa2efd457..a1e4f11c9 100644
--- a/artiq/gateware/drtio/rt_controller_master.py
+++ b/artiq/gateware/drtio/rt_controller_master.py
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ class RTController(Module):
             timeout_counter.wait.eq(1),
             If(timeout_counter.done,
                 signal_buffer_space_timeout.eq(1),
-                NextState("GET_BUFFER_SPACE")
+                NextState("IDLE")
             )
         )
         fsm.act("READ",