diff --git a/waku/stress_test.go b/waku/stress_test.go
index 45137ae..863fb8e 100644
--- a/waku/stress_test.go
+++ b/waku/stress_test.go
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ func TestStressHighThroughput10kPublish(t *testing.T) {
 
 	captureMemory(t.Name(), "at start")
 
-	totalMessages := 2000
+	totalMessages := 1500
 	pubsubTopic := DefaultPubsubTopic
 
 	for i := 0; i < totalMessages; i++ {