diff --git a/tests/roots/test-linkcheck/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-linkcheck/conf.py
index 6ddb41a5d01..1da919b5225 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-linkcheck/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-linkcheck/conf.py
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@
 exclude_patterns = ['_build']
 linkcheck_anchors = True
 linkcheck_timeout = 0.05
+linkcheck_workers = 1
diff --git a/tests/test_build_linkcheck.py b/tests/test_build_linkcheck.py
index 8538d06d0e6..a2a1f07fb33 100644
--- a/tests/test_build_linkcheck.py
+++ b/tests/test_build_linkcheck.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ def test_defaults(app):
     with http_server(DefaultsHandler):
         with ConnectionMeasurement() as m:
             app.build()
-        assert m.connection_count == 5
+        assert m.connection_count == 1
 
     # Text output
     assert (app.outdir / 'output.txt').exists()