diff --git a/GPy/core/model.py b/GPy/core/model.py
index 38b5eb29..343d5f08 100644
--- a/GPy/core/model.py
+++ b/GPy/core/model.py
@@ -298,9 +298,11 @@ class Model(Parameterized):
 
             dx = dx[transformed_index]
             gradient = gradient[transformed_index]
-
+            
             global_ratio = (f1 - f2) / (2 * np.dot(dx, np.where(gradient == 0, 1e-32, gradient)))
-            return (np.abs(1. - global_ratio) < tolerance)
+            num_grad =(np.abs((f1-f2)/-(2*dx)*np.where(gradient == 0, 1e-32, gradient))).mean() 
+        
+            return (np.abs(1. - global_ratio) < tolerance) or (num_grad < tolerance) 
         else:
             # check the gradient of each parameter individually, and do some pretty printing
             try: