diff --git a/piker/_profile.py b/piker/_profile.py
index ca1fc188..2e726e80 100644
--- a/piker/_profile.py
+++ b/piker/_profile.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from functools import wraps
 # NOTE: you can pass a flag to enable this:
 # ``piker chart <args> --profile``.
 _pg_profile: bool = False
+ms_slower_then: float = 10
 
 
 def pg_profile_enabled() -> bool: