diff --git a/cluster/gce/config-test.sh b/cluster/gce/config-test.sh
index ef6ffa6f44a..1ca394370d2 100755
--- a/cluster/gce/config-test.sh
+++ b/cluster/gce/config-test.sh
@@ -62,7 +62,10 @@ TEST_CLUSTER_LOG_LEVEL="${TEST_CLUSTER_LOG_LEVEL:---v=4}"
 
 KUBELET_TEST_ARGS="--max-pods=100 $TEST_CLUSTER_LOG_LEVEL"
 APISERVER_TEST_ARGS="--runtime-config=experimental/v1 ${TEST_CLUSTER_LOG_LEVEL}"
-CONTROLLER_MANAGER_TEST_ARGS="${TEST_CLUSTER_LOG_LEVEL}"
+# pod-eviction-timeout is currently 2 * node-monitor-grace-period to allow for some network
+# problems, but don't ensure that the Kubelet can be restarted without evicting Pods. We don't
+# think it's necessary for tests.
+CONTROLLER_MANAGER_TEST_ARGS="${TEST_CLUSTER_LOG_LEVEL} --pod-eviction-timeout=1m20s"
 SCHEDULER_TEST_ARGS="${TEST_CLUSTER_LOG_LEVEL}"
 KUBEPROXY_TEST_ARGS="${TEST_CLUSTER_LOG_LEVEL}"