diff --git a/youtube_dlc/downloader/common.py b/youtube_dlc/downloader/common.py
index 460364a0b0..c65500d613 100644
--- a/youtube_dlc/downloader/common.py
+++ b/youtube_dlc/downloader/common.py
@@ -364,11 +364,12 @@ def download(self, filename, info_dict, subtitle=False):
                         else '%.2f' % sleep_interval))
                 time.sleep(sleep_interval)
         else:
-            sleep_interval_sub = self.params.get('sleep_interval_subtitles')
-            self.to_screen(
-                '[download] Sleeping %s seconds...' % (
-                    int(sleep_interval_sub)))
-            time.sleep(sleep_interval_sub)
+            if self.params.get('sleep_interval_subtitles') > 0:
+                sleep_interval_sub = self.params.get('sleep_interval_subtitles')
+                self.to_screen(
+                    '[download] Sleeping %s seconds...' % (
+                        sleep_interval_sub))
+                time.sleep(sleep_interval_sub)
         return self.real_download(filename, info_dict)
 
     def real_download(self, filename, info_dict):
diff --git a/youtube_dlc/options.py b/youtube_dlc/options.py
index 66b45220c7..3c8a1305e7 100644
--- a/youtube_dlc/options.py
+++ b/youtube_dlc/options.py
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ def _comma_separated_values_options_callback(option, opt_str, value, parser):
             'along with --min-sleep-interval.'))
     workarounds.add_option(
         '--sleep-subtitles',
-        dest='sleep_interval_subtitles', action='store_true', default=0,
+        dest='sleep_interval_subtitles', default=0, type=int,
         help='Enforce sleep interval on subtitles as well')
 
     verbosity = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'Verbosity / Simulation Options')