diff --git a/plans/subplans/install.pp b/plans/subplans/install.pp
index 96af47f0d..822dc9a87 100644
--- a/plans/subplans/install.pp
+++ b/plans/subplans/install.pp
@@ -429,7 +429,8 @@
     run_task('peadm::puppet_runonce', $target)
   }
 
-  wait([$bg_db_run])
+  # add a timeout to wait
+  wait([$bg_db_run], 1200)
 
   # The puppetserver might be in the middle of a restart after the Puppet run,
   # so we check the status by calling the api and ensuring the puppetserver is