diff --git a/modules/ui/vc-gutter/config.el b/modules/ui/vc-gutter/config.el
index 21bf72e5d..dc94eec0d 100644
--- a/modules/ui/vc-gutter/config.el
+++ b/modules/ui/vc-gutter/config.el
@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@
   (setq vc-git-diff-switches '("--histogram"))
   ;; PERF: Slightly more conservative delay before updating the diff
   (setq diff-hl-flydiff-delay 0.5)  ; default: 0.3
+  ;; PERF: don't block Emacs when updating vc gutter
+  (setq diff-hl-update-async t)
 
   ;; UX: get realtime feedback in diffs after staging/unstaging hunks.
   (setq diff-hl-show-staged-changes nil)