diff --git a/collects/tests/run-automated-tests.rkt b/collects/tests/run-automated-tests.rkt
index de5ce084a1..6fb9427d53 100755
--- a/collects/tests/run-automated-tests.rkt
+++ b/collects/tests/run-automated-tests.rkt
@@ -73,7 +73,13 @@
                 (lambda ()
                   (sleep (* 60 timeout))
                   (echo "Timeout!")
-                  (break-thread th)))))
+                  (break-thread th)
+                  (sleep 60)
+                  (echo "  A minute has passed, killing the test thread!")
+                  (kill-thread th)
+                  (sleep 60)
+                  (echo "  Another minute passed, aborting!")
+                  (abort 1 "Goodbye.")))))
     (parameterize* ([exit-handler
                      (lambda (n) (abort n "exit with error code ~a" n))]
                     [current-namespace (make-base-empty-namespace)])