diff --git a/.appveyor.yml b/.appveyor.yml
index f98fb81bb..594e89887 100644
--- a/.appveyor.yml
+++ b/.appveyor.yml
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ environment:
   # common / default variables for all jobs
   SETUP_PATH: .ci-local:.ci
   BASE: SELF
+  EPICS_TEST_IMPRECISE_TIMING: YES
 
   matrix:
   - CMP: vs2019
diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 45f3a0073..062bf4b8c 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ env:
   global:
     - SETUP_PATH=.ci-local:.ci
     - BASE=SELF
+    - EPICS_TEST_IMPRECISE_TIMING=YES
 
 addons:
   apt: