diff --git a/config/global_constants.go b/config/global_constants.go
index b26e4d9..f4603d5 100644
--- a/config/global_constants.go
+++ b/config/global_constants.go
@@ -7,17 +7,19 @@ package config
 const (
 	// PackageManagerLoopFunction is a bash function that executes its arguments
 	// in a loop with a delay until either the command either returns
-	// with an exit code other than 100.
+	// with an exit code other than 100. It times out after 5 failed attempts.
 	PackageManagerLoopFunction = `
 function package_manager_loop {
+    local attempts=0
     local rc=
     while true; do
+        attempts=$((attempts+1))
         if ($*); then
                 return 0
         else
                 rc=$?
         fi
-        if [ $rc -eq 100 ]; then
+        if [ $attempts -lt 5 -a $rc -eq 100 ]; then
                 sleep 10s
                 continue
         fi