diff --git a/cmdeploy/src/cmdeploy/tests/online/test_1_basic.py b/cmdeploy/src/cmdeploy/tests/online/test_1_basic.py
index c7baaa27..f1b52dd0 100644
--- a/cmdeploy/src/cmdeploy/tests/online/test_1_basic.py
+++ b/cmdeploy/src/cmdeploy/tests/online/test_1_basic.py
@@ -190,22 +190,17 @@ def test_exceed_rate_limit(cmsetup, gencreds, maildata, chatmail_config):
         "encrypted.eml", from_addr=user1.addr, to_addr=user2.addr
     ).as_string()
 
-    timestamps = []
-    i = 0
-    while len(timestamps) <= chatmail_config.max_user_send_per_minute * 1.7:
+    for i in range(chatmail_config.max_user_send_per_minute * 3):
         print("Sending mail", str(i))
-        i += 1
         try:
             user1.smtp.sendmail(user1.addr, [user2.addr], mail)
-            timestamps.append(time.time())
         except smtplib.SMTPException as e:
-            if len(timestamps) < chatmail_config.max_user_send_per_minute:
+            if i < chatmail_config.max_user_send_per_minute:
                 pytest.fail(f"rate limit was exceeded too early with msg {i}")
             outcome = e.recipients[user2.addr]
             assert outcome[0] == 450
             assert b"4.7.1: Too much mail from" in outcome[1]
             return
-        timestamps[:] = [ts for ts in timestamps if ts >= (time.time() - 60)]
     pytest.fail("Rate limit was not exceeded")