diff --git a/rqt_plot/src/rqt_plot/data_plot/__init__.py b/rqt_plot/src/rqt_plot/data_plot/__init__.py
index 8d88d54f..46f918ae 100644
--- a/rqt_plot/src/rqt_plot/data_plot/__init__.py
+++ b/rqt_plot/src/rqt_plot/data_plot/__init__.py
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ def remove_curve(self, curve_id):
         if self._data_plot_widget:
             self._data_plot_widget.remove_curve(curve_id)
 
-    def update_values(self, curve_id, values_x, values_y):
+    def update_values(self, curve_id, values_x, values_y, sort_data=True):
         """Append new data to an existing curve
         
         `values_x` and `values_y` will be appended to the existing data for
@@ -343,14 +343,19 @@ def update_values(self, curve_id, values_x, values_y):
 
         Note that the plot is not redraw automatically; call `redraw()` to make
         any changes visible to the user.
+
+        If `sort_data` is set to False, values won't be sorted by `values_x`
+        order.
         """
         curve = self._get_curve(curve_id)
         curve['x'] = numpy.append(curve['x'], values_x)
         curve['y'] = numpy.append(curve['y'], values_y)
-        # sort resulting data, so we can slice it later
-        sort_order = curve['x'].argsort()
-        curve['x'] = curve['x'][sort_order]
-        curve['y'] = curve['y'][sort_order]
+
+        if sort_data:
+            # sort resulting data, so we can slice it later
+            sort_order = curve['x'].argsort()
+            curve['x'] = curve['x'][sort_order]
+            curve['y'] = curve['y'][sort_order]
 
     def clear_values(self, curve_id=None):
         """Clear the values for the specified curve, or all curves