diff --git a/drivers/VirtualWatchdog.h b/drivers/VirtualWatchdog.h
index 3bd3ca3090..ce93b9b540 100644
--- a/drivers/VirtualWatchdog.h
+++ b/drivers/VirtualWatchdog.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public:
      * MBED_CONF_TARGET_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT.
      *
      */
-    VirtualWatchdog(uint32_t timeout = 1, const char *const str = NULL);
+    VirtualWatchdog(uint32_t timeout = 1000, const char *const str = NULL);
     ~VirtualWatchdog();
 public: