diff --git a/config.def.h b/config.def.h
index ad6b287d2f..d4b212a2e0 100644
--- a/config.def.h
+++ b/config.def.h
@@ -417,7 +417,8 @@ static unsigned swap_interval = 1;
 static const bool video_threaded = false;
 
 #ifdef HAVE_THREADS
-static const bool threaded_data_runloop_enable = true;
+/* unstable for now when used in conjunction with threaded video */
+static const bool threaded_data_runloop_enable = false;
 #else
 static const bool threaded_data_runloop_enable = false;
 #endif