diff --git a/meta/recipes-core/initrdscripts/files/init-live.sh b/meta/recipes-core/initrdscripts/files/init-live.sh
index c591f0d..2d6d6f6 100644
--- a/meta/recipes-core/initrdscripts/files/init-live.sh
+++ b/meta/recipes-core/initrdscripts/files/init-live.sh
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ early_setup
 read_args
 
 echo "Waiting for removable media..."
+C=0
 while true
 do
   for i in `ls /media 2>/dev/null`; do
@@ -90,6 +91,11 @@ do
   if [ "$found" = "yes" ]; then
       break;
   fi
+  # don't wait for more than 3 seconds
+  C=$(( C + 1 ))
+  if [ $C -gt 3 ]; then
+      fatal "Cannot find root image on media"
+  fi
   sleep 1
 done