diff --git a/admin/tool/task/classes/check/cronrunning.php b/admin/tool/task/classes/check/cronrunning.php
index 2efcee17950..69596c1733b 100644
--- a/admin/tool/task/classes/check/cronrunning.php
+++ b/admin/tool/task/classes/check/cronrunning.php
@@ -108,7 +108,8 @@ class cronrunning extends check {
             return new result($status, $summary, $details);
         }
 
-        if ($lastcroninterval > $expectedfrequency) {
+        // Add MINSECS to avoid spurious warning if cron is only a few seconds overdue.
+        if ($lastcroninterval > $expectedfrequency + MINSECS) {
             $status = result::WARNING;
             $summary = get_string('croninfrequent', 'admin', [
                 'actual'   => $formatinterval,