diff --git a/nixos/lib/test-driver/test_driver/machine.py b/nixos/lib/test-driver/test_driver/machine.py
index 1d1d5bef9bf4..ff2cbe4109bc 100644
--- a/nixos/lib/test-driver/test_driver/machine.py
+++ b/nixos/lib/test-driver/test_driver/machine.py
@@ -641,7 +641,7 @@ class Machine:
             return status != 0
 
         with self.nested(f"waiting for failure: {command}"):
-            retry(check_failure)
+            retry(check_failure, timeout)
             return output
 
     def wait_for_shutdown(self) -> None: