diff --git a/src/lib/gesture/swipe_gesture.cpp b/src/lib/gesture/swipe_gesture.cpp
index 1340a54..f2d0c02 100644
--- a/src/lib/gesture/swipe_gesture.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/gesture/swipe_gesture.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,10 @@ namespace comfortable_swipe::gesture
         comfortable_swipe::gesture::xdo_gesture(),
         threshold_squared(threshold*threshold),
         commands(new const char*[8]{left3, left4, right3, right4, up3, up4, down3, down4})
-    { }
+    {
+        // improve responsiveness of first gesture by pre-empting xdotool runtime
+        xdo_get_mouse_location(this->xdo, &this->ix, &this->iy, &this->screen_num);
+    }
 
     /**
      * Destructs this swipe gesture.