diff --git a/drivers/inky73/inky73.cpp b/drivers/inky73/inky73.cpp
index be54affa..449bf9ad 100644
--- a/drivers/inky73/inky73.cpp
+++ b/drivers/inky73/inky73.cpp
@@ -47,8 +47,9 @@ namespace pimoroni {
     return !(sr.read() & 128);
   }
   
-  void Inky73::busy_wait() {
-    while(is_busy()) {
+  void Inky73::busy_wait(uint timeout_ms) {
+    absolute_time_t timeout = make_timeout_time_ms(timeout_ms);
+    while(is_busy() && !time_reached(timeout)) {
       tight_loop_contents();
     }
   }
diff --git a/drivers/inky73/inky73.hpp b/drivers/inky73/inky73.hpp
index 14c7b6ff..bed9ee75 100644
--- a/drivers/inky73/inky73.hpp
+++ b/drivers/inky73/inky73.hpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ namespace pimoroni {
     // Methods
     //--------------------------------------------------
   public:
-    void busy_wait();
+    void busy_wait(uint timeout_ms=45000);
     void reset();
     void power_off();