diff --git a/src/k_kart.h b/src/k_kart.h
index 4fb0f1c42..0afc80a8b 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.h
+++ b/src/k_kart.h
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Make sure this matches the actual number of states
 #define SHRINK_PHYSICS_SCALE (3*FRACUNIT/4)
 
 #define INSTAWHIP_DURATION (12)
-#define INSTAWHIP_CHARGETIME (5*TICRATE/4)
+#define INSTAWHIP_CHARGETIME (3*TICRATE/4)
 #define INSTAWHIP_DROPGUARD (12)
 #define INSTAWHIP_RINGDRAINEVERY (TICRATE/2)
 #define INSTAWHIP_HOLD_DELAY (TICRATE*2)
diff --git a/src/objects/instawhip.c b/src/objects/instawhip.c
index 9236c525c..377ace438 100644
--- a/src/objects/instawhip.c
+++ b/src/objects/instawhip.c
@@ -50,7 +50,9 @@ void Obj_SpawnInstaWhipRecharge(player_t *player, angle_t angleOffset)
 {
 	mobj_t *x = P_SpawnMobjFromMobj(player->mo, 0, 0, 0, MT_INSTAWHIP_RECHARGE);
 
-	x->tics = max(INSTAWHIP_CHARGETIME - player->instaWhipCharge - states[x->info->raisestate].tics, 0);
+	// This was previously used to delay the visual, back when this was VFX for a cooldown
+	// instead of VFX for a charge. We want to instantly bail out of that state now.
+	x->tics = 1;
 	x->renderflags |= RF_SLOPESPLAT | RF_NOSPLATBILLBOARD;
 
 	P_SetTarget(&recharge_target(x), player->mo);