diff --git a/src/bin/scripts/t/080_pg_isready.pl b/src/bin/scripts/t/080_pg_isready.pl
index f432505d5cd..2ddb03d7c24 100644
--- a/src/bin/scripts/t/080_pg_isready.pl
+++ b/src/bin/scripts/t/080_pg_isready.pl
@@ -12,4 +12,5 @@ command_fails(['pg_isready'], 'fails with no server running');
 my $tempdir = tempdir;
 start_test_server $tempdir;
 
-command_ok(['pg_isready'], 'succeeds with server running');
+# use a long timeout for the benefit of very slow buildfarm machines
+command_ok([qw(pg_isready --timeout=60)], 'succeeds with server running');