diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index b460f13..fdf1fc8 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -71,6 +71,11 @@ build_and_test_qemu:
     - export PYTHONPATH="$IDF_PATH/tools:$IDF_PATH/tools/ci/python_packages"
     # run test (with environment->qemu)
     - cd $IDF_PATH/tools/ci/python_packages/tiny_test_fw/bin
+    # use more relaxed criteria with QEMU tests
+    - export MQTT_PUBLISH_MSG_len_0=0   MQTT_PUBLISH_MSG_repeat_0=5
+    - export MQTT_PUBLISH_MSG_len_1=2   MQTT_PUBLISH_MSG_repeat_1=50
+    - export MQTT_PUBLISH_MSG_len_2=128 MQTT_PUBLISH_MSG_repeat_2=2
+    - export MQTT_PUBLISH_MSG_len_3=20  MQTT_PUBLISH_MSG_repeat_3=20
     - python Runner.py $TEST_PATH -c $TEST_PATH/publish_connect_mqtt_qemu.yml -e $TEST_PATH/env.yml
 
 push_master_to_github: