diff --git a/plugins/zsh-navigation-tools/n-list b/plugins/zsh-navigation-tools/n-list
index 0a98d86e..55c08515 100644
--- a/plugins/zsh-navigation-tools/n-list
+++ b/plugins/zsh-navigation-tools/n-list
@@ -224,7 +224,11 @@ zcurses timeout main -1
 key=""
 keypad=""
 
-list=( "$@" )
+# This loop makes script faster on some Zsh's (e.g. 5.0.8)
+repeat 1; do
+    list=( "$@" )
+done
+
 last_element="$#list"
 
 while (( 1 )); do
diff --git a/plugins/zsh-navigation-tools/n-panelize b/plugins/zsh-navigation-tools/n-panelize
index a70565c7..01d01cb9 100644
--- a/plugins/zsh-navigation-tools/n-panelize
+++ b/plugins/zsh-navigation-tools/n-panelize
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@ if [ -t 0 ]; then
         return 1
     fi
 
-    list=( `"$@"` )
+    # This loop makes script faster on some Zsh's (e.g. 5.0.8)
+    repeat 1; do
+        list=( `"$@"` )
+    done
+
     # TODO: $? doesn't reach user
     [ "$?" -eq 127 ] && return $?
 else
@@ -42,7 +46,10 @@ else
         return 1
     fi
 
-    list=( "${(@f)"$(<&0)"}" )
+    # This loop makes script faster on some Zsh's (e.g. 5.0.8)
+    repeat 1; do
+        list=( "${(@f)"$(<&0)"}" )
+    done
 
     if [[ ! -c /dev/tty ]]; then
         exec <&2