diff --git a/src/image/loading_displaying.js b/src/image/loading_displaying.js
index 1f5077989a..4b6a86a806 100644
--- a/src/image/loading_displaying.js
+++ b/src/image/loading_displaying.js
@@ -267,6 +267,9 @@ function loadingDisplaying(p5, fn){
     if (typeof duration !== 'number') {
       throw TypeError('Duration parameter must be a number');
     }
+    if (duration <= 0) {
+      throw TypeError('Duration parameter must be greater than 0');
+    }
 
     // extract variables for more comfortable use
     const delay = (options && options.delay) || 0;  // in seconds