diff --git a/audit/internal/platform/benchmark.go b/audit/internal/platform/benchmark.go
index e94fefa..c10a242 100644
--- a/audit/internal/platform/benchmark.go
+++ b/audit/internal/platform/benchmark.go
@@ -1601,7 +1601,10 @@ func maxInt(a, b int) int {
 // queryIPMIServerPowerW reads the current server power draw via ipmitool dcmi.
 // Returns 0 and an error if IPMI is unavailable or the output cannot be parsed.
 func queryIPMIServerPowerW() (float64, error) {
-	out, err := satExecCommand("ipmitool", "dcmi", "power", "reading").Output()
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, "ipmitool", "dcmi", "power", "reading")
+	out, err := cmd.Output()
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, fmt.Errorf("ipmitool dcmi power reading: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -1620,6 +1623,7 @@ func sampleIPMIPowerSeries(ctx context.Context, durationSec int) (meanW float64,
 	}
 	deadline := time.Now().Add(time.Duration(durationSec) * time.Second)
 	var samples []float64
+loop:
 	for {
 		if w, err := queryIPMIServerPowerW(); err == nil {
 			samples = append(samples, w)
@@ -1629,7 +1633,7 @@ func sampleIPMIPowerSeries(ctx context.Context, durationSec int) (meanW float64,
 		}
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
-			break
+			break loop
 		case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
 		}
 	}