diff --git a/src/pytest_run_parallel/plugin.py b/src/pytest_run_parallel/plugin.py
index 8ee2925..b931cbd 100644
--- a/src/pytest_run_parallel/plugin.py
+++ b/src/pytest_run_parallel/plugin.py
@@ -72,8 +72,17 @@ def inner(*args, **kwargs):
         failed = None
         barrier = threading.Barrier(n_workers)
         original_switch = sys.getswitchinterval()
+        new_switch = 1e-6
+        for _ in range(3):
+            try:
+                sys.setswitchinterval(new_switch)
+                break
+            except ValueError:
+                new_switch *= 10
+        else:
+            sys.setswitchinterval(original_switch)
+
         try:
-            sys.setswitchinterval(0.000001)
 
             def closure(*args, **kwargs):
                 for _ in range(n_iterations):