diff --git a/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py b/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
index 7cc8652782..e28ecabfd9 100644
--- a/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
+++ b/controller_manager/controller_manager/spawner.py
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ def main(args=None):
         " Useful if the controller_manager is not immediately ready, e.g.,"
         " paused simulations at startup",
         required=False,
-        default=1.0,
+        default=5.0,
         type=float,
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/controller_manager/controller_manager/unspawner.py b/controller_manager/controller_manager/unspawner.py
index e7ee8dddc1..8917b10c29 100644
--- a/controller_manager/controller_manager/unspawner.py
+++ b/controller_manager/controller_manager/unspawner.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def main(args=None):
         " Useful if the controller_manager is not immediately ready, e.g.,"
         " paused simulations at startup",
         required=False,
-        default=1.0,
+        default=5.0,
         type=float,
     )