diff --git a/reframe/core/pipeline.py b/reframe/core/pipeline.py
index b9347c041e..e0f369e7e7 100644
--- a/reframe/core/pipeline.py
+++ b/reframe/core/pipeline.py
@@ -1296,7 +1296,8 @@ def _clone_to_stagedir(self, url):
         self.logger.debug(f'Cloning URL {url} into stage directory')
         osext.git_clone(
             self.sourcesdir, self._stagedir,
-            timeout=rt.runtime().get_option('general/0/git_timeout')
+            # FIXME: cast to float explicitly due to GH #2246
+            timeout=float(rt.runtime().get_option('general/0/git_timeout'))
         )
 
     @final