diff --git a/kernel/workqueue.c b/kernel/workqueue.c
index 88a3e34..ee6578b 100644
--- a/kernel/workqueue.c
+++ b/kernel/workqueue.c
@@ -79,7 +79,9 @@
 	MAX_IDLE_WORKERS_RATIO	= 4,		/* 1/4 of busy can be idle */
 	IDLE_WORKER_TIMEOUT	= 300 * HZ,	/* keep idle ones for 5 mins */
 
-	MAYDAY_INITIAL_TIMEOUT	= HZ / 100,	/* call for help after 10ms */
+	MAYDAY_INITIAL_TIMEOUT  = HZ / 100 >= 2 ? HZ / 100 : 2,
+						/* call for help after 10ms
+						   (min two ticks) */
 	MAYDAY_INTERVAL		= HZ / 10,	/* and then every 100ms */
 	CREATE_COOLDOWN		= HZ,		/* time to breath after fail */
 	TRUSTEE_COOLDOWN	= HZ / 10,	/* for trustee draining */