diff --git a/vere/term.c b/vere/term.c
index 3e2acef453..2c768002b0 100644
--- a/vere/term.c
+++ b/vere/term.c
@@ -41,14 +41,19 @@ _term_msc_out_host()
   return 1000000ULL * tim_tv.tv_sec + tim_tv.tv_usec;
 }
 
+/* _term_alloc(): libuv buffer allocator.
+*/
 static void
 _term_alloc(uv_handle_t* had_u,
             size_t len_i,
             uv_buf_t* buf
             )
 {
-  void* ptr_v = c3_malloc(len_i);
-  *buf = uv_buf_init(ptr_v, len_i);
+  //  this read can range from a single byte to a paste buffer
+  //  32 bytes has been chosen heuristically
+  //
+  void* ptr_v = c3_malloc(32);
+  *buf = uv_buf_init(ptr_v, 32);
 }