diff --git a/perf/flame.jl b/perf/flame.jl
index 1bcce60ae8e..e357ebd4651 100644
--- a/perf/flame.jl
+++ b/perf/flame.jl
@@ -80,7 +80,9 @@ end
 
 # https://github.com/CliMA/ClimaAtmos.jl/issues/827
 @testset "Allocations limit" begin
-    @test allocs ≤ allocs_limit[job_id] * buffer
+    @test 0.5 * allocs_limit[job_id] * buffer <=
+          allocs ≤
+          allocs_limit[job_id] * buffer
 end
 
 import ClimaComms