diff --git a/hw/darwin/quartz/xpr/xprScreen.c b/hw/darwin/quartz/xpr/xprScreen.c
index 18f66962c..5cb928fc6 100644
--- a/hw/darwin/quartz/xpr/xprScreen.c
+++ b/hw/darwin/quartz/xpr/xprScreen.c
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@
 # include "damage.h"
 #endif
 
+/* 10.4's deferred update makes X slower.. have to live with the tearing
+   for now.. */
+#define XP_NO_DEFERRED_UPDATES 8
+
 // Name of GLX bundle for native OpenGL
 static const char *xprOpenGLBundle = "glxCGL.bundle";
 
@@ -225,7 +229,7 @@ xprDisplayInit(void)
     else
         darwinScreensFound =  1;
 
-    if (xp_init(XP_IN_BACKGROUND) != Success)
+    if (xp_init(XP_IN_BACKGROUND | XP_NO_DEFERRED_UPDATES) != Success)
         FatalError("Could not initialize the Xplugin library.");
 
     xp_select_events(XP_EVENT_DISPLAY_CHANGED