diff --git a/Lib/test/test_multiprocessing.py b/Lib/test/test_multiprocessing.py
index 0df2f7803bbe..fe19de037152 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_multiprocessing.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_multiprocessing.py
@@ -1126,7 +1126,8 @@ def test_pool_worker_lifetime(self):
         # Refill the pool
         p._repopulate_pool()
         # Wait until all workers are alive
-        countdown = 5
+        # (countdown * DELTA = 5 seconds max startup process time)
+        countdown = 50
         while countdown and not all(w.is_alive() for w in p._pool):
             countdown -= 1
             time.sleep(DELTA)