diff --git a/pkg/kv/kvserver/client_merge_test.go b/pkg/kv/kvserver/client_merge_test.go
index e9ebf362fc6c..a4e59c1c52ea 100644
--- a/pkg/kv/kvserver/client_merge_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kv/kvserver/client_merge_test.go
@@ -2331,9 +2331,10 @@ func TestStoreRangeMergeConcurrentRequests(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Failures in this test often present as a deadlock. Set a short timeout to
-	// limit the damage, but a longer deadline for race builds.
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, testutils.SucceedsSoonDuration())
+	// Failures in this test often present as a deadlock.
+	// We have a relatively high timeout since this test flakes in leader leases,
+	// as it keeps withdrawing/granting store liveness support.
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 3*testutils.DefaultSucceedsSoonDuration)
 	defer cancel()
 
 	const numGetWorkers = 16