diff --git a/sms_functions.py b/sms_functions.py
index 3834b35..ab8fb10 100644
--- a/sms_functions.py
+++ b/sms_functions.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def send_sms(recipients, smsstring):
         except:
             retries += 1
             time.sleep(1)
-            if retries > 5:
+            if retries > 15:
                 raise
     
     # test sending SMS