diff --git a/pandas/tests/test_graphics.py b/pandas/tests/test_graphics.py
index de726e670d958..1b9691257347b 100644
--- a/pandas/tests/test_graphics.py
+++ b/pandas/tests/test_graphics.py
@@ -2272,7 +2272,7 @@ def test_grouped_box_return_type(self):
         columns2 = 'X B C D A G Y N Q O'.split()
         df2 = DataFrame(random.randn(50, 10), columns=columns2)
         categories2 = 'A B C D E F G H I J'.split()
-        df2['category'] = tm.choice(categories2, size=50)
+        df2['category'] = categories2 * 5
 
         types = {'dict': dict, 'axes': matplotlib.axes.Axes, 'both': tuple}
         for t, klass in iteritems(types):