diff --git a/moto/sqs/models.py b/moto/sqs/models.py
index 31d919d87..bd4129dc2 100644
--- a/moto/sqs/models.py
+++ b/moto/sqs/models.py
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ class SQSBackend(BaseBackend):
                 if len(result) >= count:
                     break
 
-            if time.time() > polling_end:
+            if result or time.time() > polling_end:
                 break
 
         return result