diff --git a/format.c b/format.c
index 28962701..479b97c4 100644
--- a/format.c
+++ b/format.c
@@ -371,9 +371,6 @@ format_job_get(struct format_expand_state *es, const char *cmd)
 		fj->client = ft->client;
 		fj->tag = ft->tag;
 		fj->cmd = xstrdup(cmd);
-		fj->expanded = NULL;
-
-		xasprintf(&fj->out, "<'%s' not ready>", fj->cmd);
 
 		RB_INSERT(format_job_tree, jobs, fj);
 	}
@@ -402,11 +399,14 @@ format_job_get(struct format_expand_state *es, const char *cmd)
 		}
 		fj->last = t;
 		fj->updated = 0;
-	}
+	} else if (fj->job != NULL && (t - fj->last) > 1 && fj->out == NULL)
+		xasprintf(&fj->out, "<'%s' not ready>", fj->cmd);
 	free(expanded);
 
 	if (ft->flags & FORMAT_STATUS)
 		fj->status = 1;
+	if (fj->out == NULL)
+		return (xstrdup(""));
 	return (format_expand1(&next, fj->out));
 }