diff --git a/files/usr/bin/blue-merle-switch-stage1 b/files/usr/bin/blue-merle-switch-stage1
index 901fca1..78446fe 100644
--- a/files/usr/bin/blue-merle-switch-stage1
+++ b/files/usr/bin/blue-merle-switch-stage1
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ done
 ## We generate a random IMEI to prevent a leak of the
 ## new SIM's IMSI under the old IMEI in case the modem
 ## still talks to the network
-python3 /lib/blue-merle/imei_generate.py -r
+timeout 15  python3 /lib/blue-merle/imei_generate.py -r
 
 
 mcu_send_message "Replace the SIM card. Then pull the switch."
diff --git a/files/usr/bin/blue-merle-switch-stage2 b/files/usr/bin/blue-merle-switch-stage2
index 85335e5..9b6277a 100644
--- a/files/usr/bin/blue-merle-switch-stage2
+++ b/files/usr/bin/blue-merle-switch-stage2
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ if [[ "$old_imsi" == "$new_imsi" ]]; then
 fi
 
 mcu_send_message "Setting random   IMEI"
-python3 /lib/blue-merle/imei_generate.py -r
+timeout 15 python3 /lib/blue-merle/imei_generate.py -r
 
 new_imei=$(READ_IMEI)