diff --git a/core/includes/common.inc b/core/includes/common.inc
index eefc053..a925a04 100644
--- a/core/includes/common.inc
+++ b/core/includes/common.inc
@@ -5179,7 +5179,7 @@ function drupal_cron_run() {
   $GLOBALS['user'] = drupal_anonymous_user();
 
   // Try to allocate enough time to run all the hook_cron implementations.
-  drupal_set_time_limit(240);
+  drupal_set_time_limit(variable_get('cron_time_limit', 240));
 
   $return = FALSE;
   // Grab the defined cron queues.