diff --git a/cuda_core/tests/test_event.py b/cuda_core/tests/test_event.py
index 384cf4586..97c6b336b 100644
--- a/cuda_core/tests/test_event.py
+++ b/cuda_core/tests/test_event.py
@@ -33,7 +33,12 @@ def test_timing(init_cuda, enable_timing):
     if enable_timing:
         elapsed_time_ms = e2 - e1
         assert isinstance(elapsed_time_ms, float)
-        assert delay_seconds * 1000 <= elapsed_time_ms < delay_seconds * 1000 + 2  # tolerance 2 ms
+        # Using a generous tolerance, to avoid flaky tests:
+        # We only want to exercise the __sub__ method, this test is not meant
+        # to stress-test the CUDA driver or time.sleep().
+        delay_ms = delay_seconds * 1000
+        generous_tolerance = 20
+        assert delay_ms <= elapsed_time_ms < delay_ms + generous_tolerance
     else:
         with pytest.raises(RuntimeError) as e:
             elapsed_time_ms = e2 - e1