diff --git a/IPython/parallel/tests/__init__.py b/IPython/parallel/tests/__init__.py
index a38ffd6..83aba19 100644
--- a/IPython/parallel/tests/__init__.py
+++ b/IPython/parallel/tests/__init__.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def setup():
     
     cp = TestProcessLauncher()
     cp.cmd_and_args = ipcontroller_cmd_argv + \
-                ['--profile=iptest', '--log-level=50']
+                ['--profile=iptest', '--log-level=50', '--ping=250']
     cp.start()
     launchers.append(cp)
     tic = time.time()