diff --git a/codeflash/optimization/function_optimizer.py b/codeflash/optimization/function_optimizer.py
index 265cc4426..1fa67bd6a 100644
--- a/codeflash/optimization/function_optimizer.py
+++ b/codeflash/optimization/function_optimizer.py
@@ -2044,6 +2044,13 @@ def line_profiler_step(
             self.write_code_and_helpers(
                 self.function_to_optimize_source_code, original_helper_code, self.function_to_optimize.file_path
             )
+        # this will happen when a timeoutexpired exception happens
+        if isinstance(line_profile_results, TestResults) and not line_profile_results.test_results:
+            logger.warning(
+                f"Timeout occurred while running line profiler for original function {self.function_to_optimize.function_name}"
+            )
+            # set default value for line profiler results
+            return {"timings": {}, "unit": 0, "str_out": ""}
         if line_profile_results["str_out"] == "":
             logger.warning(
                 f"Couldn't run line profiler for original function {self.function_to_optimize.function_name}"