diff --git a/pants.toml b/pants.toml
index d4d1fd3a4f..59c8ac3538 100644
--- a/pants.toml
+++ b/pants.toml
@@ -247,6 +247,8 @@ extra_env_vars = [
   "ST2_CI",
   "ST2_CI_RUN_ORQUESTA_PAUSE_RESUME_TESTS",
 ]
+# Each test file should not take more than 5 minutes (which is generous)
+timeout_default = 300 # seconds
 
 [twine]
 install_from_resolve = "twine"