diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index 054ca3c923..f08864bd12 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ jobs:
 
   freebsd:
     runs-on: macos-12 # until https://github.com/actions/runner/issues/385
+    timeout-minutes: 20 # randomly bootloops https://github.com/vmactions/freebsd-vm/issues/74
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
     - name: Test in FreeBSD VM