--- xemacs-21.5.34/src/alsaplay.c
+++ xemacs-21.5.34/src/alsaplay.c
@@ -375,6 +375,10 @@ alsa_play_sound_data (const Binbyte *dat
   if ((err = snd_pcm_writei (pcm_handle, data, length)) < 0)
     goto error_mixer;
 
+  /* Wait for it to finish */
+  if ((err = snd_pcm_drain (pcm_handle)) < 0)
+    goto error_mixer;
+
   /* Put the volume back the way it used to be */
   reset_volume (&mix);