diff --git a/sopel/tests/pytest_plugin.py b/sopel/tests/pytest_plugin.py
index 16a58c07a..2208a0d1c 100644
--- a/sopel/tests/pytest_plugin.py
+++ b/sopel/tests/pytest_plugin.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
 nick = {name}
 owner = {owner}
 admin = {admin}
+# avoid wasting cycles in time.sleep() during `repeat`ed tests
+flood_max_wait = 0
 """