diff --git a/apollo3.c b/apollo3.c
index 55ef2456..20eed7a1 100644
--- a/apollo3.c
+++ b/apollo3.c
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ void apollo3Show(
   bitMask =  0x80;
 
 #if defined(PIN_METHOD_FAST_GPIO)
+
+  // disable interrupts
+  am_hal_interrupt_master_disable();
+
 #ifdef NEO_KHZ400 // 800 KHz check needed only if 400 KHz support enabled
   if(is800KHz) {
 #endif
@@ -118,6 +122,10 @@ void apollo3Show(
       }
     }
   }
+
+  // re-enable interrupts
+  am_hal_interrupt_master_enable();
+
 #endif // NEO_KHZ400
 #endif // PIN_METHOD_FAST_GPIO
 }