diff --git a/src/calibre/srv/tests/http.py b/src/calibre/srv/tests/http.py
index bf8bb67da3..0faed278e8 100644
--- a/src/calibre/srv/tests/http.py
+++ b/src/calibre/srv/tests/http.py
@@ -229,6 +229,7 @@ class TestHTTP(BaseTest):
             conn._HTTPConnection__state = httplib._CS_IDLE
 
             # Test closing
+            server.loop.opts.timeout = 10  # ensure socket is not closed because of timeout
             conn.request('GET', '/close', headers={'Connection':'close'})
             r = conn.getresponse()
             self.ae(server.loop.num_active_connections, 1)