diff --git a/src/Magnum/Platform/Sdl2Application.cpp b/src/Magnum/Platform/Sdl2Application.cpp
index 2efc506fa..8a3e60dcc 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Platform/Sdl2Application.cpp
+++ b/src/Magnum/Platform/Sdl2Application.cpp
@@ -322,6 +322,10 @@ void Sdl2Application::mainLoop() {
         }
     }
 
+    /* Tick event */
+    if(!(_flags & Flag::NoTickEvent)) tickEvent();
+
+    /* Draw event */
     if(_flags & Flag::Redraw) {
         _flags &= ~Flag::Redraw;
         drawEvent();
@@ -346,8 +350,9 @@ void Sdl2Application::mainLoop() {
             SDL_Delay(_minimalLoopPeriod - loopTime);
     }
 
-    /* Then wait indefinitely for next input event */
-    SDL_WaitEvent(nullptr);
+    /* Then, if the tick event doesn't need to be called periodically, wait
+       indefinitely for next input event */
+    if(_flags & Flag::NoTickEvent) SDL_WaitEvent(nullptr);
     #endif
 }
 
@@ -362,6 +367,12 @@ void Sdl2Application::setMouseLocked(bool enabled) {
     #endif
 }
 
+void Sdl2Application::tickEvent() {
+    /* If this got called, the tick event is not implemented by user and thus
+       we don't need to call it ever again */
+    _flags |= Flag::NoTickEvent;
+}
+
 void Sdl2Application::viewportEvent(const Vector2i&) {}
 void Sdl2Application::keyPressEvent(KeyEvent&) {}
 void Sdl2Application::keyReleaseEvent(KeyEvent&) {}
diff --git a/src/Magnum/Platform/Sdl2Application.h b/src/Magnum/Platform/Sdl2Application.h
index 0e03c121e..ba19e9f3b 100644
--- a/src/Magnum/Platform/Sdl2Application.h
+++ b/src/Magnum/Platform/Sdl2Application.h
@@ -325,6 +325,17 @@ class Sdl2Application {
     #else
     private:
     #endif
+        /**
+         * @brief Tick event
+         *
+         * If implemented, this function is called periodically after
+         * processing all input events and before draw event even though there
+         * might be no input events and redraw is not requested. Useful e.g.
+         * for asynchronous task polling. Use @ref setMinimalLoopPeriod()/
+         * @ref setSwapInterval() to control main loop frequency.
+         */
+        virtual void tickEvent();
+
         /**
          * @brief Viewport event
          *
@@ -421,8 +432,9 @@ class Sdl2Application {
         enum class Flag: UnsignedByte {
             Redraw = 1 << 0,
             VSyncEnabled = 1 << 1,
+            NoTickEvent = 1 << 2,
             #ifndef CORRADE_TARGET_EMSCRIPTEN
-            Exit = 1 << 2
+            Exit = 1 << 3
             #endif
         };