diff --git a/lib/spack/llnl/util/tty/log.py b/lib/spack/llnl/util/tty/log.py
index cff7f22dcde..7f88261e348 100644
--- a/lib/spack/llnl/util/tty/log.py
+++ b/lib/spack/llnl/util/tty/log.py
@@ -218,5 +218,5 @@ def __exit__(self, exc_type, exception, traceback):
     def __del__(self):
         """Closes the pipes and joins the daemon"""
         os.close(self.write)
-        self.p.join()
+        self.p.join(60.0)  # 1 minute to join the daemonic child
         os.close(self.read)