diff --git a/builder/qemu/step_type_boot_command.go b/builder/qemu/step_type_boot_command.go
index b97241b0b..0daa0813b 100644
--- a/builder/qemu/step_type_boot_command.go
+++ b/builder/qemu/step_type_boot_command.go
@@ -177,7 +177,9 @@ func vncSendString(c *vnc.ClientConn, original string) {
 		}
 
 		c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+		time.Sleep(time.Second/10)
 		c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+		time.Sleep(time.Second/10)
 
 		if keyShift {
 			c.KeyEvent(KeyLeftShift, false)