diff --git a/nodepool/nodeutils.py b/nodepool/nodeutils.py
index 2434f6a6f..3f1555c6b 100644
--- a/nodepool/nodeutils.py
+++ b/nodepool/nodeutils.py
@@ -28,13 +28,17 @@ import paramiko
 log = logging.getLogger("nodepool.utils")
 
 
+ITERATE_INTERVAL = 2  # How long to sleep while waiting for something
+                      # in a loop
+
+
 def iterate_timeout(max_seconds, purpose):
     start = time.time()
     count = 0
     while (time.time() < start + max_seconds):
         count += 1
         yield count
-        time.sleep(2)
+        time.sleep(ITERATE_INTERVAL)
     raise Exception("Timeout waiting for %s" % purpose)
 
 
diff --git a/nodepool/provider_manager.py b/nodepool/provider_manager.py
index fd130fabb..8fcc421c8 100644
--- a/nodepool/provider_manager.py
+++ b/nodepool/provider_manager.py
@@ -29,23 +29,12 @@ import keystoneclient.v2_0.client as ksclient
 import time
 
 import fakeprovider
+from nodeutils import iterate_timeout
 from task_manager import Task, TaskManager, ManagerStoppedException
 
 
 SERVER_LIST_AGE = 5   # How long to keep a cached copy of the server list
 IPS_LIST_AGE = 5      # How long to keep a cached copy of the ip list
-ITERATE_INTERVAL = 2  # How long to sleep while waiting for something
-                      # in a loop
-
-
-def iterate_timeout(max_seconds, purpose):
-    start = time.time()
-    count = 0
-    while (time.time() < start + max_seconds):
-        count += 1
-        yield count
-        time.sleep(ITERATE_INTERVAL)
-    raise Exception("Timeout waiting for %s" % purpose)
 
 
 def get_public_ip(server, version=4):