testing/test_xspec.py | 8 ++++++--
 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/testing/test_xspec.py b/testing/test_xspec.py
index 2218e73..91517c9 100644
--- a/testing/test_xspec.py
+++ b/testing/test_xspec.py
@@ -148,9 +148,13 @@ class TestMakegateway:
         remotenice = gw.remote_exec(getnice).receive()
         gw.exit()
         if remotenice is not None:
-            gw = makegateway("popen//nice=5")
+            LINUX_NICE_MAX = 19
+            # check for Linux
+            assert remotenice <= LINUX_NICE_MAX
+            nice = LINUX_NICE_MAX - remotenice
+            gw = makegateway("popen//nice={}".format(nice))
             remotenice2 = gw.remote_exec(getnice).receive()
-            assert remotenice2 == remotenice + 5
+            assert remotenice2 == remotenice + nice
 
     def test_popen_env(self, makegateway):
         gw = makegateway("popen//env:NAME123=123")