diff --git a/src/control_backend/agents/vad_agent.py b/src/control_backend/agents/vad_agent.py
index 860547d..dcc628f 100644
--- a/src/control_backend/agents/vad_agent.py
+++ b/src/control_backend/agents/vad_agent.py
@@ -64,8 +64,8 @@ class Streaming(CyclicBehaviour):
     async def reset(self):
         """Clears the ZeroMQ queue and tells this behavior to start."""
         discarded = 0
-        poll_time = settings.behaviour_settings.vad_poll_time
-        while await self.audio_in_poller.poll(poll_time) is not None:
+        # Poll for the shortest amount of time possible to clear the queue
+        while await self.audio_in_poller.poll(1) is not None:
             discarded += 1
         self.agent.logger.info(f"Discarded {discarded} audio packets before starting.")
         self._ready = True