diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/server/metadata.py b/src/tests/ftest/server/metadata.py
index 395c8801e522..134a50a3aeb7 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/server/metadata.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/server/metadata.py
@@ -467,8 +467,8 @@ def test_metadata_server_restart(self):
         :avocado: tags=ObjectMetadata,test_metadata_server_restart
         """
         self.create_pool()
-        files_per_thread = 400
-        total_ior_threads = 5
+        files_per_thread = 1  # DEBUGGING
+        total_ior_threads = 1
 
         processes = self.params.get("slots", "/run/ior/clientslots/*")