diff --git a/src/systemcmds/tests/test_time.c b/src/systemcmds/tests/test_time.c
index 235abcf5f39f..4463701dba30 100644
--- a/src/systemcmds/tests/test_time.c
+++ b/src/systemcmds/tests/test_time.c
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ int test_time(int argc, char *argv[])
 	/* loop checking the time */
 	for (unsigned i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
 
-		usleep(rand());
+		usleep(rand() % SHRT_MAX);
 
 		uint32_t flags = px4_enter_critical_section();