diff --git a/commandlog.c b/commandlog.c
index 41483133..f1825126 100644
--- a/commandlog.c
+++ b/commandlog.c
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@
 /*-------------------- the tail buffer ---------------------------------*/
    static pCircular pTail = NULL;
 #define MAXTAIL 1000
+/*----------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+   static time_t tLastWrite = 0;
 /*----------------------------------------------------------------------*/
    void WriteToCommandLog(char *prompt,char *text)
    {
@@ -113,6 +115,7 @@
       /* automatic file */
       if(fauto != NULL)
       {
+         time(&tLastWrite);
          if(iNL)
 	 {
             fprintf(fauto,"%s %s",prompt, pText);
@@ -316,6 +319,11 @@
           fflush(fauto);
      }
 
+     if (fauto && tLastWrite != 0 && tNow > tLastWrite) {
+       fflush(fauto);
+       tLastWrite = 0;
+     }   
+
      return iEnd;
   }   
 /*----------- a command to configure the log  --------------------------*/