diff --git a/check/Makefile.am b/check/Makefile.am
index ce9f185864..c0a58faf4e 100644
--- a/check/Makefile.am
+++ b/check/Makefile.am
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ REGISTRY_ENVIRONMENT = \
 	GST_REGISTRY=$(CHECK_REGISTRY)
 
 TESTS_ENVIRONMENT = \
+        CK_DEFAULT_TIMEOUT=20                                   \
 	$(REGISTRY_ENVIRONMENT)					\
 	GST_PLUGIN_PATH_ONLY=yes				\
 	GST_PLUGIN_PATH=$(top_builddir)/gst:$(top_builddir)/ext:$(GST_PLUGINS_DIR)
diff --git a/tests/check/Makefile.am b/tests/check/Makefile.am
index ce9f185864..c0a58faf4e 100644
--- a/tests/check/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/check/Makefile.am
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ REGISTRY_ENVIRONMENT = \
 	GST_REGISTRY=$(CHECK_REGISTRY)
 
 TESTS_ENVIRONMENT = \
+        CK_DEFAULT_TIMEOUT=20                                   \
 	$(REGISTRY_ENVIRONMENT)					\
 	GST_PLUGIN_PATH_ONLY=yes				\
 	GST_PLUGIN_PATH=$(top_builddir)/gst:$(top_builddir)/ext:$(GST_PLUGINS_DIR)