diff --git a/patches/systemvm/debian/config/etc/init.d/cloud-early-config b/patches/systemvm/debian/config/etc/init.d/cloud-early-config
index fb4c4ee1104..f44b579a319 100755
--- a/patches/systemvm/debian/config/etc/init.d/cloud-early-config
+++ b/patches/systemvm/debian/config/etc/init.d/cloud-early-config
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ setup_common() {
   fi
  
   # a hacking way to activate vSwitch under VMware
-  ping -n -c 3 $GW
+  ping -n -c 3 -deadline 5 $GW
 }
 
 setup_dnsmasq() {