diff --git a/src/input_common.cpp b/src/input_common.cpp
index fb82b1842..dc89f2b75 100644
--- a/src/input_common.cpp
+++ b/src/input_common.cpp
@@ -134,13 +134,6 @@ static char_event_t readb() {
                 }
             }
 
-            if (ioport > 0 && FD_ISSET(ioport, &fdset)) {
-                iothread_service_completion();
-                if (auto mc = s_lookahead->pop_evt()) {
-                    return *mc;
-                }
-            }
-
             if (FD_ISSET(STDIN_FILENO, &fdset)) {
                 unsigned char arr[1];
                 if (read_blocked(0, arr, 1) != 1) {
@@ -151,6 +144,15 @@ static char_event_t readb() {
                 // We read from stdin, so don't loop.
                 return arr[0];
             }
+
+            // Check for iothread completions only if there is no data to be read from the stdin.
+            // This gives priority to the foreground.
+            if (ioport > 0 && FD_ISSET(ioport, &fdset)) {
+                iothread_service_completion();
+                if (auto mc = s_lookahead->pop_evt()) {
+                    return *mc;
+                }
+            }
         }
     }
 }