diff --git a/test/optim/test_core.py b/test/optim/test_core.py
index c9734ba40c..2dcdfa5b61 100644
--- a/test/optim/test_core.py
+++ b/test/optim/test_core.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def test_basic(self):
     def test_timeout(self):
         x = Parameter(torch.tensor(1.0))
         # adding a small delay here to combat some timing issues on windows
-        closure = partial(norm_squared, x, delay=1e-3)
+        closure = partial(norm_squared, x, delay=1e-2)
         result = scipy_minimize(closure, {"x": x}, timeout_sec=1e-4)
         self.assertEqual(result.status, OptimizationStatus.STOPPED)
         self.assertTrue("Optimization timed out after" in result.message)
diff --git a/test/optim/utils/test_timeout.py b/test/optim/utils/test_timeout.py
index 8a8a1b7aec..725bb4329d 100644
--- a/test/optim/utils/test_timeout.py
+++ b/test/optim/utils/test_timeout.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def f_and_g(x: np.ndarray, sleep_sec: float = 0.0):
             self.assertEqual(res.nit, 2)  # quadratic approx. is exact
 
         with self.subTest("test w/ binding timeout"):
-            res = minimize_with_timeout(**base_kwargs, args=(1e-3,), timeout_sec=1e-4)
+            res = minimize_with_timeout(**base_kwargs, args=(1e-2,), timeout_sec=1e-4)
             self.assertFalse(res.success)
             self.assertEqual(res.nit, 1)  # only one call to the callback is made