diff --git a/media/sfplugin/CCodec.cpp b/media/sfplugin/CCodec.cpp
index 0a58dd4..1e74658 100644
--- a/media/sfplugin/CCodec.cpp
+++ b/media/sfplugin/CCodec.cpp
@@ -1509,7 +1509,8 @@
         }
         case kWhatStart: {
             // C2Component::start() should return within 500ms.
-            setDeadline(now, 550ms, "start");
+            // WORKAROUND: start sometimes takes longer than expected.
+            setDeadline(now, 2500ms, "start");
             mQueuedWorkCount = 0;
             start();
             break;