A system and method are provided for controlling a flow of intake air entering an internal combustion engine. At least some of the intake air is diverted away from the engine in response to detection of a first operating condition that is indicative of a minimum engine fueling rate. A second operating condition that is indicative of a flow rate of the intake air entering the engine is monitored, and diverting at least some of the intake air away from the engine is discontinued if the second operating condition indicates that the flow rate of the intake air entering the engine is within a threshold value of a target flow rate.