diff --git a/lib/core/base/check.js b/lib/core/base/check.js
index 99a3eeac5b..7ef4001038 100644
--- a/lib/core/base/check.js
+++ b/lib/core/base/check.js
@@ -90,9 +90,7 @@ Check.prototype.run = function(node, options, context, resolve, reject) {
 
 		if (!checkHelper.isAsync) {
 			checkResult.result = result;
-			setTimeout(function() {
-				resolve(checkResult);
-			}, 0);
+			resolve(checkResult);
 		}
 	} else {
 		resolve(null);
diff --git a/lib/core/base/rule.js b/lib/core/base/rule.js
index 87fcdec704..98fc223aef 100644
--- a/lib/core/base/rule.js
+++ b/lib/core/base/rule.js
@@ -207,6 +207,10 @@ Rule.prototype.run = function(context, options, resolve, reject) {
 		});
 	});
 
+	// Defer the rule's execution to prevent "unresponsive script" warnings.
+	// See https://github.com/dequelabs/axe-core/pull/1172 for discussion and details.
+	q.defer(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
+
 	if (options.performanceTimer) {
 		axe.utils.performanceTimer.mark(markEnd);
 		axe.utils.performanceTimer.measure(