--- chesley-1.1.2.old/search.cpp
+++ chesley-1.1.2/search.cpp
@@ -1095,7 +1095,11 @@
   if (controls.mode == EXACT || controls.fixed_time >= 0)
     {
       // Set an absolute fixed time limit for this move.
-      controls.deadline = mclock () + controls.fixed_time;
+      long xtime = controls.fixed_time;
+                                // Fix a fatal error
+      if (xtime <  2) xtime = 40;
+      if (xtime < 20) xtime = 20;
+      controls.deadline = mclock () + xtime;
     }
   else if (controls.time_remaining >= 0)
     {