diff --git a/flashdreams/flashdreams/api_v2/loop.py b/flashdreams/flashdreams/api_v2/loop.py
index 8a1ad759a..53f388c1c 100644
--- a/flashdreams/flashdreams/api_v2/loop.py
+++ b/flashdreams/flashdreams/api_v2/loop.py
@@ -182,6 +182,15 @@ def _begin_run(
     ) -> _LoopRunResult:
         """Prepare one step or return a lifecycle request to the caller."""
         self._run_message_batch()
+        return self._incorporate_user_events(events, generation)
+
+    @final
+    def _incorporate_user_events(
+        self,
+        events: UserInputEvents,
+        generation: int,
+    ) -> _LoopRunResult:
+        """Add newly available user events to the prepared run."""
         self._pending_user_events.extend(events.get_events())
         transition = _parse_lifecycle_events(self._pending_user_events)
         if transition is None and self._new_session_request is not None:
@@ -321,6 +330,10 @@ def _run_model_loop(
                     last_run_started = time.monotonic()
                     if self._shutdown_event.is_set():
                         break
+                    events, generation = event_buffer.read(reader_id)
+                    run = self._incorporate_user_events(events, generation)
+                    if run.step_index is None:
+                        break
                     step_started_at = time.monotonic()
                     raw_result = self.step(run.step_index, self.user_events)
                     step_elapsed_s = time.monotonic() - step_started_at
diff --git a/flashdreams/test_v2/test_session_runner.py b/flashdreams/test_v2/test_session_runner.py
index 064aa1c98..94abf08e8 100644
--- a/flashdreams/test_v2/test_session_runner.py
+++ b/flashdreams/test_v2/test_session_runner.py
@@ -545,6 +545,38 @@ def _lifecycle_event(event_type: type[UserInputEvent]) -> UserInputEvents:
     return UserInputEvents([event_type(timestamp=uint64(0))])
 
 
+def test_model_loop_collects_input_after_pacing(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    session = FakeSession(_session_desc(), CallLog())
+    session.init()
+    session.model_loop.frequency = 1
+    event_buffer = EventBuffer()
+    event_buffer.register(0)
+
+    def cadence_wait(timeout: float) -> bool:
+        assert timeout > 0
+        event_buffer.append(_key_event())
+        return False
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(session.model_loop._shutdown_event, "wait", cadence_wait)
+    session.model_loop._run_model_loop(
+        event_buffer=event_buffer,
+        reader_id=0,
+        publish=lambda generation, results, elapsed: None,
+        max_steps=2,
+    )
+
+    assert session.observed_events[0].get_events() == []
+    observed = session.observed_events[1].get_events()
+    assert len(observed) == 1
+    assert isinstance(observed[0], KeyboardUserInputEvent)
+    assert (observed[0].key, observed[0].state) == (
+        "a",
+        KeyboardInputState.PRESSED,
+    )
+
+
 def test_run_session_presents_every_step_in_order() -> None:
     log = CallLog()
     session = FakeSession(_session_desc(), log)