diff --git a/src/gdb_main.c b/src/gdb_main.c
index d0fc871..3fee2b7 100644
--- a/src/gdb_main.c
+++ b/src/gdb_main.c
@@ -222,6 +222,7 @@ int gdb_main_loop(struct target_controller *tc, bool in_syscall)
 				char c = (char)gdb_if_getchar_to(0);
 				if(c == '\x03' || c == '\x04')
 					target_halt_request(cur_target);
+				platform_pace_poll();
 				#ifdef ENABLE_RTT
 				if (rtt_enabled)
 					poll_rtt(cur_target);
diff --git a/src/include/platform_support.h b/src/include/platform_support.h
index ed0b027..51ddf03 100644
--- a/src/include/platform_support.h
+++ b/src/include/platform_support.h
@@ -28,8 +28,10 @@
 
 #if PC_HOSTED == 1
 void platform_init(int argc, char **argv);
+void platform_pace_poll(void);
 #else
 void platform_init(void);
+inline void platform_pace_poll(void) { }
 #endif
 
 typedef struct platform_timeout platform_timeout;
diff --git a/src/platforms/hosted/cli.c b/src/platforms/hosted/cli.c
index 3893364..8471b3e 100644
--- a/src/platforms/hosted/cli.c
+++ b/src/platforms/hosted/cli.c
@@ -159,6 +159,8 @@ static void cl_help(char **argv)
 		"\t-j, --jtag       Use JTAG instead of SWD\n"
 		"\t-A, --auto-scan  Automatic scanning - try JTAG first, then SWD\n"
 		"\t-C, --hw-reset   Connect to target under hardware reset\n"
+		"\t-F, --fast-poll  Poll the target for execution status at maximum speed at\n"
+		"\t                  the expense of increased CPU and USB resource utilisation.\n"
 		"\t-t, --list-chain Perform a chain scan and display information about the\n"
 		"\t                   conected devices\n"
 		"\t-T, --timing     Perform continues read- or write-back of a value to allow\n"
@@ -205,6 +207,7 @@ static const struct option long_options[] = {
 	{"probe", required_argument, NULL, 'P'},
 	{"serial", required_argument, NULL, 's'},
 	{"ftdi-type", required_argument, NULL, 'c'},
+	{"fast-poll", no_argument, NULL, 'F'},
 	{"number", required_argument, NULL, 'n'},
 	{"jtag", no_argument, NULL, 'j'},
 	{"auto-scan", no_argument, NULL, 'A'},
@@ -236,7 +239,7 @@ void cl_init(BMP_CL_OPTIONS_t *opt, int argc, char **argv)
 	opt->opt_max_swj_frequency = 4000000;
 	opt->opt_scanmode = BMP_SCAN_SWD;
 	opt->opt_mode = BMP_MODE_DEBUG;
-	while((c = getopt_long(argc, argv, "eEhHv:d:f:s:I:c:Cln:m:M:wVtTa:S:jApP:rR::", long_options, NULL)) != -1) {
+	while((c = getopt_long(argc, argv, "eEFhHv:d:f:s:I:c:Cln:m:M:wVtTa:S:jApP:rR::", long_options, NULL)) != -1) {
 		switch(c) {
 		case 'c':
 			if (optarg)
@@ -273,6 +276,9 @@ void cl_init(BMP_CL_OPTIONS_t *opt, int argc, char **argv)
 			if (optarg)
 				opt->opt_device = optarg;
 			break;
+		case 'F':
+			opt->fast_poll = true;
+			break;
 		case 'f':
 			if (optarg) {
 				char *p;
diff --git a/src/platforms/hosted/cli.h b/src/platforms/hosted/cli.h
index b3015b4..8bf501a 100644
--- a/src/platforms/hosted/cli.h
+++ b/src/platforms/hosted/cli.h
@@ -53,13 +53,14 @@ typedef struct BMP_CL_OPTIONS_s {
 	bool opt_list_only;
 	bool opt_connect_under_reset;
 	bool external_resistor_swd;
+	bool fast_poll;
 	bool opt_no_hl;
 	char *opt_flash_file;
 	char *opt_device;
 	char *opt_serial;
 	uint32_t opt_targetid;
 	char *opt_ident_string;
-	int  opt_position;
+	int opt_position;
 	char *opt_cable;
 	char *opt_monitor;
 	int opt_debuglevel;
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ typedef struct BMP_CL_OPTIONS_s {
 	uint32_t opt_flash_start;
 	uint32_t opt_max_swj_frequency;
 	size_t opt_flash_size;
-}BMP_CL_OPTIONS_t;
+} BMP_CL_OPTIONS_t;
 
 void cl_init(BMP_CL_OPTIONS_t *opt, int argc, char **argv);
 int cl_execute(BMP_CL_OPTIONS_t *opt);
diff --git a/src/platforms/hosted/platform.c b/src/platforms/hosted/platform.c
index 9a26812..290335b 100644
--- a/src/platforms/hosted/platform.c
+++ b/src/platforms/hosted/platform.c
@@ -483,6 +483,12 @@ void platform_buffer_flush(void)
 	}
 }
 
+void platform_pace_poll(void)
+{
+	if (!cl_opts.fast_poll)
+		platform_delay(8);
+}
+
 void platform_target_clk_output_enable(const bool enable)
 {
 	switch (info.bmp_type) {