diff --git a/src/perfplot/_main.py b/src/perfplot/_main.py
index 5e10e93..cfcfb21 100644
--- a/src/perfplot/_main.py
+++ b/src/perfplot/_main.py
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ def __next__(self):
                 raise RuntimeError("Measured 0 ns for a function call. Try again?")
 
             if self.equality_check:
-                if k == 0:
+                if reference is None:
                     reference = val
                 else:
                     try:
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ def callback():
 
             for i in range(len(n_range)):
                 timings_s[i] = next(b)
-                # override n_rane in case it got overridden in next()
+                # override n_range in case it got overridden in next()
                 n_range = b.n_range
 
                 if show_progress:
@@ -539,17 +539,17 @@ def callback():
 def plot(
     *args,
     time_unit: str = "s",
+    relative_to: int | None = None,
     logx: Literal["auto"] | bool = "auto",
     logy: Literal["auto"] | bool = "auto",
-    relative_to: int | None = None,
     **kwargs,
 ):
     out = bench(*args, **kwargs)
     out.plot(
         time_unit=time_unit,
+        relative_to=relative_to,
         logx=logx,
         logy=logy,
-        relative_to=relative_to,
     )
 
 
@@ -575,9 +575,9 @@ def save(
     transparent=True,
     *args,
     time_unit: str = "s",
+    relative_to: int | None = None,
     logx: bool | Literal["auto"] = "auto",
     logy: bool | Literal["auto"] = "auto",
-    relative_to: int | None = None,
     **kwargs,
 ):
     out = bench(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ def save(
         filename,
         transparent,
         time_unit=time_unit,
+        relative_to=relative_to,
         logx=logx,
         logy=logy,
-        relative_to=relative_to,
     )
diff --git a/tests/test_perfplot.py b/tests/test_perfplot.py
index b35f8ca..7fe004b 100644
--- a/tests/test_perfplot.py
+++ b/tests/test_perfplot.py
@@ -150,3 +150,24 @@ def times_reversed(a, b):
     perfplot.show(
         setup=setup, kernels=[times, times_reversed], n_range=[2**k for k in range(3)]
     )
+
+
+def test_exceed_time():
+    """other functions should be checked for validity even if the first timed out"""
+    import time
+    def setup(n):
+        return np.random.rand(n)
+
+    def exceed_time(a):
+        time.sleep(0.5)
+        return 1
+
+    def in_time(a):
+        return 1
+
+    def in_time2(a):
+        return 1
+
+    b = perfplot.bench(
+        setup=setup, kernels=[exceed_time, in_time, in_time2], n_range=[2**k for k in range(3)], max_time=0.1
+    )