diff --git a/cpu/sh2mame/sh2.h b/cpu/sh2mame/sh2.h
index b83a9c49..1fab412c 100644
--- a/cpu/sh2mame/sh2.h
+++ b/cpu/sh2mame/sh2.h
@@ -48,10 +48,10 @@ typedef struct
 	void	(*irq_callback)(int id, int level);
 	int	is_slave;
 
-	// XXX: unused, will we ever use?
-	int   internal_irq_level;
+	UINT32	cycles_aim;	// subtract sh2_icount to get global counter
 } SH2;
 
+SH2 *sh2; // active sh2
 extern int sh2_icount;
 
 void sh2_init(SH2 *sh2, int is_slave);
diff --git a/cpu/sh2mame/sh2pico.c b/cpu/sh2mame/sh2pico.c
index 463261ec..fb4bea63 100644
--- a/cpu/sh2mame/sh2pico.c
+++ b/cpu/sh2mame/sh2pico.c
@@ -55,8 +55,6 @@ void sh2_reset(SH2 *sh2)
 	sh2->pc = RL(0);
 	sh2->r[15] = RL(4);
 	sh2->sr = I;
-
-	sh2->internal_irq_level = -1;
 }
 
 /* Execute cycles - returns number of cycles actually run */
@@ -64,6 +62,7 @@ int sh2_execute(SH2 *sh2_, int cycles)
 {
 	sh2 = sh2_;
 	sh2_icount = cycles;
+	sh2->cycles_aim += cycles;
 
 	do
 	{
@@ -112,7 +111,7 @@ int sh2_execute(SH2 *sh2_, int cycles)
 		}
 		sh2_icount--;
 	}
-	while (sh2_icount > 0);
+	while (sh2_icount > 0 || sh2->delay);	/* can't interrupt before delay */
 
 	return cycles - sh2_icount;
 }