diff --git a/tests/geo/test_strainopt.py b/tests/geo/test_strainopt.py
index 87069508e..4735c1b29 100644
--- a/tests/geo/test_strainopt.py
+++ b/tests/geo/test_strainopt.py
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ def subtest_binormal_curvature(self, order, centroid):
                 J.x = dofs - eps*h
                 f2 = J.J()
                 errf = np.abs((f1-f2)/(2*eps) - df)
+                assert errf < 0.3 * errf_old
                 errf_old = errf
         else:
             # Binormal curvature vanishes in Frenet frame
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ def subtest_torsion(self, order, centroid):
         else:
             framedcurve = FramedCurveFrenet(c, rotation)
 
-        J = LPTorsionalStrainPenalty(framedcurve, width=1e-3, p=2, threshold=1e-4)
+        J = LPTorsionalStrainPenalty(framedcurve, width=1e-3, p=2, threshold=1e-8)
 
         dofs = J.x
 
@@ -131,5 +132,6 @@ def subtest_torsion(self, order, centroid):
             J.x = dofs - eps*h
             f2 = J.J()
             errf = np.abs((f1-f2)/(2*eps) - df)
+            assert errf < 0.3 * errf_old
             errf_old = errf