diff --git a/nixos/tests/containers-imperative.nix b/nixos/tests/containers-imperative.nix
index 361160b1fdc2..34103ef7586b 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/containers-imperative.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/containers-imperative.nix
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, lib, ... }: {
 
       with subtest("Stop a container early"):
           machine.succeed(f"nixos-container stop {id1}")
-          machine.succeed(f"nixos-container start {id1} &")
+          machine.succeed(f"nixos-container start {id1} >&2 &")
           machine.wait_for_console_text("Stage 2")
           machine.succeed(f"nixos-container stop {id1}")
           machine.wait_for_console_text(f"Container {id1} exited successfully")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/croc.nix b/nixos/tests/croc.nix
index 75a8fc991d47..5d709eb3d1cb 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/croc.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/croc.nix
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ in {
     sender.execute("echo Hello World > testfile01.txt")
     sender.execute("echo Hello Earth > testfile02.txt")
     sender.execute(
-        "croc --pass ${pass} --relay relay send --code topSecret testfile01.txt testfile02.txt &"
+        "croc --pass ${pass} --relay relay send --code topSecret testfile01.txt testfile02.txt >&2 &"
     )
 
     # receive the testfiles and check them
diff --git a/nixos/tests/emacs-daemon.nix b/nixos/tests/emacs-daemon.nix
index 58bcd095990a..e12da56021da 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/emacs-daemon.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/emacs-daemon.nix
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
       )
 
       # connects to the daemon
-      machine.succeed("emacsclient --create-frame $EDITOR &")
+      machine.succeed("emacsclient --create-frame $EDITOR >&2 &")
 
       # checks that Emacs shows the edited filename
       machine.wait_for_text("emacseditor")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/enlightenment.nix b/nixos/tests/enlightenment.nix
index 4623574ce92e..c5f0e208906b 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/enlightenment.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/enlightenment.nix
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} :
         machine.screenshot("wizard12")
 
     with subtest("Run Terminology"):
-        machine.succeed("terminology &")
+        machine.succeed("terminology >&2 &")
         machine.sleep(5)
         machine.send_chars("ls --color -alF\n")
         machine.sleep(2)
diff --git a/nixos/tests/etesync-dav.nix b/nixos/tests/etesync-dav.nix
index da5c056f5349..6a747e23f76f 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/etesync-dav.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/etesync-dav.nix
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ... }: {
     ''
       machine.wait_for_unit("multi-user.target")
       machine.succeed("etesync-dav --version")
-      machine.execute("etesync-dav &")
+      machine.execute("etesync-dav >&2 &")
       machine.wait_for_open_port(37358)
       with subtest("Check that the web interface is accessible"):
           assert "Add User" in machine.succeed("curl -s http://localhost:37358/.web/add/")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/firefox.nix b/nixos/tests/firefox.nix
index dcaf369b62bd..7216ad43b8e9 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/firefox.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/firefox.nix
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, firefoxPackage, ... }: {
 
       with subtest("Wait until Firefox has finished loading the Valgrind docs page"):
           machine.execute(
-              "xterm -e 'firefox file://${pkgs.valgrind.doc}/share/doc/valgrind/html/index.html' &"
+              "xterm -e 'firefox file://${pkgs.valgrind.doc}/share/doc/valgrind/html/index.html' >&2 &"
           )
           machine.wait_for_window("Valgrind")
           machine.sleep(40)
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, firefoxPackage, ... }: {
       with subtest("Check whether Firefox can play sound"):
           with audio_recording(machine):
               machine.succeed(
-                  "firefox file://${pkgs.sound-theme-freedesktop}/share/sounds/freedesktop/stereo/phone-incoming-call.oga &"
+                  "firefox file://${pkgs.sound-theme-freedesktop}/share/sounds/freedesktop/stereo/phone-incoming-call.oga >&2 &"
               )
               wait_for_sound(machine)
           machine.copy_from_vm("/tmp/record.wav")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/ft2-clone.nix b/nixos/tests/ft2-clone.nix
index c877054234ec..71eda43e2b24 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/ft2-clone.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/ft2-clone.nix
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ... }: {
       # Add a dummy sound card, or the program won't start
       machine.execute("modprobe snd-dummy")
 
-      machine.execute("ft2-clone &")
+      machine.execute("ft2-clone >&2 &")
 
       machine.wait_for_window(r"Fasttracker")
       machine.sleep(5)
diff --git a/nixos/tests/hibernate.nix b/nixos/tests/hibernate.nix
index 508e7aa64c0d..4f05b99a5a11 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/hibernate.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/hibernate.nix
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ in makeTest {
       )
 
       # Hibernate machine
-      hibernate.execute("systemctl hibernate &", check_return=False)
+      hibernate.execute("systemctl hibernate >&2 &", check_return=False)
       hibernate.wait_for_shutdown()
 
       # Restore machine from hibernation, validate our ramfs file is there.
diff --git a/nixos/tests/keepassxc.nix b/nixos/tests/keepassxc.nix
index 98902187f6ac..685a200b3187 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/keepassxc.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/keepassxc.nix
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} :
     machine.wait_for_x()
 
     # start KeePassXC window
-    machine.execute("su - alice -c keepassxc &")
+    machine.execute("su - alice -c keepassxc >&2 &")
 
     machine.wait_for_text("KeePassXC ${pkgs.keepassxc.version}")
     machine.screenshot("KeePassXC")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/kexec.nix b/nixos/tests/kexec.nix
index 036b9cab04f2..b0d072167fad 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/kexec.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/kexec.nix
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, lib, ...} : {
   testScript =
     ''
       machine.wait_for_unit("multi-user.target")
-      machine.execute("systemctl kexec &", check_return=False)
+      machine.execute("systemctl kexec >&2 &", check_return=False)
       machine.connected = False
       machine.wait_for_unit("multi-user.target")
     '';
diff --git a/nixos/tests/keymap.nix b/nixos/tests/keymap.nix
index a18a05f90c6d..4306a9ae2cf9 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/keymap.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/keymap.nix
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ let
 
               # set up process that expects all the keys to be entered
               machine.succeed(
-                  "{} {} {} {} &".format(
+                  "{} {} {} {} >&2 &".format(
                       cmd,
                       "${testReader}",
                       len(inputs),
diff --git a/nixos/tests/libreswan.nix b/nixos/tests/libreswan.nix
index 17ae60af8eed..56ab908aed9a 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/libreswan.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/libreswan.nix
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ in
           """
           Sends a message as Alice to Bob
           """
-          bob.execute("nc -lu ::0 1234 >/tmp/msg &")
+          bob.execute("nc -lu ::0 1234 >/tmp/msg >&2 &")
           alice.sleep(1)
           alice.succeed(f"echo '{msg}' | nc -uw 0 bob 1234")
           bob.succeed(f"grep '{msg}' /tmp/msg")
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ in
           Starts eavesdropping on Alice and Bob
           """
           match = "src host alice and dst host bob"
-          eve.execute(f"tcpdump -i br0 -c 1 -Avv {match} >/tmp/log &")
+          eve.execute(f"tcpdump -i br0 -c 1 -Avv {match} >/tmp/log >&2 &")
 
 
       start_all()
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ in
           alice.succeed("ipsec verify 1>&2")
 
       with subtest("Alice and Bob can start the tunnel"):
-          alice.execute("ipsec auto --start tunnel &")
+          alice.execute("ipsec auto --start tunnel >&2 &")
           bob.succeed("ipsec auto --start tunnel")
           # apparently this is needed to "wake" the tunnel
           bob.execute("ping -c1 alice")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/lorri/default.nix b/nixos/tests/lorri/default.nix
index c33c7503993d..147ae999fdb1 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/lorri/default.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/lorri/default.nix
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import ../make-test-python.nix {
     )
 
     # Start the daemon and wait until it is ready
-    machine.execute("lorri daemon > lorri.stdout 2> lorri.stderr &")
+    machine.execute("lorri daemon > lorri.stdout 2> lorri.stderr >&2 &")
     machine.wait_until_succeeds("grep --fixed-strings 'ready' lorri.stdout")
 
     # Ping the daemon
diff --git a/nixos/tests/magic-wormhole-mailbox-server.nix b/nixos/tests/magic-wormhole-mailbox-server.nix
index afdf7124fdc5..54088ac60f28 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/magic-wormhole-mailbox-server.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/magic-wormhole-mailbox-server.nix
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ... }: {
 
     # Create a secret file and send it to Bob
     client_alice.succeed("echo mysecret > secretfile")
-    client_alice.succeed("wormhole --relay-url=ws://server:4000/v1 send -0 secretfile &")
+    client_alice.succeed("wormhole --relay-url=ws://server:4000/v1 send -0 secretfile >&2 &")
 
     # Retrieve a secret file from Alice and check its content
     client_bob.succeed("wormhole --relay-url=ws://server:4000/v1 receive -0 --accept-file")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/minecraft.nix b/nixos/tests/minecraft.nix
index 3225ebac392a..1c34f04b4df2 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/minecraft.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/minecraft.nix
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, lib, ... }: {
     let user = nodes.client.config.users.users.alice;
     in ''
       client.wait_for_x()
-      client.execute("su - alice -c minecraft-launcher &")
+      client.execute("su - alice -c minecraft-launcher >&2 &")
       client.wait_for_text("Create a new Microsoft account")
       client.sleep(10)
       client.screenshot("launcher")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/mpv.nix b/nixos/tests/mpv.nix
index 9e44862cb1b4..a4803f3cb5b5 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/mpv.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/mpv.nix
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ in
     };
 
   testScript = ''
-    machine.execute("set -m; mpv --script-opts=webui-port=${port} --idle=yes &")
+    machine.execute("set -m; mpv --script-opts=webui-port=${port} --idle=yes >&2 &")
     machine.wait_for_open_port(${port})
     assert "<title>simple-mpv-webui" in machine.succeed("curl -s localhost:${port}")
   '';
diff --git a/nixos/tests/mumble.nix b/nixos/tests/mumble.nix
index 717f3c789288..2b5cc20163bc 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/mumble.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/mumble.nix
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ in
     client1.wait_for_x()
     client2.wait_for_x()
 
-    client1.execute("mumble mumble://client1:testpassword\@server/test &")
-    client2.execute("mumble mumble://client2:testpassword\@server/test &")
+    client1.execute("mumble mumble://client1:testpassword\@server/test >&2 &")
+    client2.execute("mumble mumble://client2:testpassword\@server/test >&2 &")
 
     # cancel client audio configuration
     client1.wait_for_window(r"Audio Tuning Wizard")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/musescore.nix b/nixos/tests/musescore.nix
index 96481a9a8bf4..7fd80d70df12 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/musescore.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/musescore.nix
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ in
     )
 
     # Start MuseScore window
-    machine.execute("DISPLAY=:0.0 mscore &")
+    machine.execute("DISPLAY=:0.0 mscore >&2 &")
 
     # Wait until MuseScore has launched
     machine.wait_for_window("MuseScore")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/nfs/simple.nix b/nixos/tests/nfs/simple.nix
index 6a01089c0828..1e319a8eec81 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/nfs/simple.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/nfs/simple.nix
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ in
           client2.succeed("time flock -n -s /data/lock true")
 
       with subtest("client 2 fails to acquire lock held by client 1"):
-          client1.succeed("flock -x /data/lock -c 'touch locked; sleep 100000' &")
+          client1.succeed("flock -x /data/lock -c 'touch locked; sleep 100000' >&2 &")
           client1.wait_for_file("locked")
           client2.fail("flock -n -s /data/lock true")
 
diff --git a/nixos/tests/nginx-etag.nix b/nixos/tests/nginx-etag.nix
index 63ab2e0c6c27..a7bfc0d26958 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/nginx-etag.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/nginx-etag.nix
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix {
 
     server.wait_for_unit("nginx.service")
     client.wait_for_unit("multi-user.target")
-    client.execute("test-runner &")
+    client.execute("test-runner >&2 &")
     client.wait_for_file("/tmp/passed_stage1")
 
     server.succeed(
diff --git a/nixos/tests/nixops/default.nix b/nixos/tests/nixops/default.nix
index a5c4a82be91d..3fb81906a522 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/nixops/default.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/nixops/default.nix
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ let
         # Put newlines on console, to flush the console reader's line buffer
         # in case nixops' last output did not end in a newline, as is the case
         # with a status line (if implemented?)
-        deployer.succeed("while sleep 60s; do echo [60s passed] >/dev/console; done &")
+        deployer.succeed("while sleep 60s; do echo [60s passed]; done >&2 &")
 
         deployer_do("cd ~/unicorn; ssh -oStrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new root@server echo hi")
 
diff --git a/nixos/tests/openarena.nix b/nixos/tests/openarena.nix
index 461a35e89fe7..63dc1b9a6857 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/openarena.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/openarena.nix
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ in {
       client1.wait_for_x()
       client2.wait_for_x()
 
-      client1.execute("openarena +set r_fullscreen 0 +set name Foo +connect server &")
-      client2.execute("openarena +set r_fullscreen 0 +set name Bar +connect server &")
+      client1.execute("openarena +set r_fullscreen 0 +set name Foo +connect server >&2 &")
+      client2.execute("openarena +set r_fullscreen 0 +set name Bar +connect server >&2 &")
 
       server.wait_until_succeeds(
           "journalctl -u openarena -e | grep -q 'Foo.*entered the game'"
diff --git a/nixos/tests/plotinus.nix b/nixos/tests/plotinus.nix
index ddd6a4c11946..af38b41813b7 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/plotinus.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/plotinus.nix
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ... }: {
 
   testScript = ''
     machine.wait_for_x()
-    machine.succeed("gnome-calculator &")
+    machine.succeed("gnome-calculator >&2 &")
     machine.wait_for_window("gnome-calculator")
     machine.succeed(
         "xdotool search --sync --onlyvisible --class gnome-calculator "
diff --git a/nixos/tests/pt2-clone.nix b/nixos/tests/pt2-clone.nix
index 3c090b7de428..364920c39871 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/pt2-clone.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/pt2-clone.nix
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ... }: {
       # Add a dummy sound card, or the program won't start
       machine.execute("modprobe snd-dummy")
 
-      machine.execute("pt2-clone &")
+      machine.execute("pt2-clone >&2 &")
 
       machine.wait_for_window(r"ProTracker")
       machine.sleep(5)
diff --git a/nixos/tests/shattered-pixel-dungeon.nix b/nixos/tests/shattered-pixel-dungeon.nix
index d8c4b44819e4..d4e5de22ab9d 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/shattered-pixel-dungeon.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/shattered-pixel-dungeon.nix
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ... }: {
   testScript =
     ''
       machine.wait_for_x()
-      machine.execute("shattered-pixel-dungeon &")
+      machine.execute("shattered-pixel-dungeon >&2 &")
       machine.wait_for_window(r"Shattered Pixel Dungeon")
       machine.sleep(5)
       if "Enter" not in machine.get_screen_text():
diff --git a/nixos/tests/signal-desktop.nix b/nixos/tests/signal-desktop.nix
index 379af4d3912b..7bc7cfe18cf8 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/signal-desktop.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/signal-desktop.nix
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ in {
     machine.wait_for_x()
 
     # start signal desktop
-    machine.execute("su - alice -c signal-desktop &")
+    machine.execute("su - alice -c signal-desktop >&2 &")
 
     # Wait for the Signal window to appear. Since usually the tests
     # are run sandboxed and therfore with no internet, we can not wait
diff --git a/nixos/tests/soapui.nix b/nixos/tests/soapui.nix
index 205128df91f4..76a87ed5efa1 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/soapui.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/soapui.nix
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ... }: {
 
   testScript = ''
     machine.wait_for_x()
-    machine.succeed("soapui &")
+    machine.succeed("soapui >&2 &")
     machine.wait_for_window(r"SoapUI \d+\.\d+\.\d+")
     machine.sleep(1)
     machine.screenshot("soapui")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/tigervnc.nix b/nixos/tests/tigervnc.nix
index 092eaf238d80..ed575682d933 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/tigervnc.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/tigervnc.nix
@@ -35,13 +35,13 @@ makeTest {
     for host in [server, client]:
         host.succeed("echo foobar | vncpasswd -f > vncpasswd")
 
-    server.succeed("Xvnc -geometry 720x576 :1 -PasswordFile vncpasswd &")
+    server.succeed("Xvnc -geometry 720x576 :1 -PasswordFile vncpasswd >&2 &")
     server.wait_until_succeeds("nc -z localhost 5901", timeout=10)
     server.succeed("DISPLAY=:1 xwininfo -root | grep 720x576")
-    server.execute("DISPLAY=:1 display -size 360x200 -font sans -gravity south label:'HELLO VNC WORLD' &")
+    server.execute("DISPLAY=:1 display -size 360x200 -font sans -gravity south label:'HELLO VNC WORLD' >&2 &")
 
     client.wait_for_x()
-    client.execute("vncviewer server:1 -PasswordFile vncpasswd &")
+    client.execute("vncviewer server:1 -PasswordFile vncpasswd >&2 &")
     client.wait_for_window(r"VNC")
     client.screenshot("screenshot")
     text = client.get_screen_text()
diff --git a/nixos/tests/turbovnc-headless-server.nix b/nixos/tests/turbovnc-headless-server.nix
index dfa17d65f85e..7d705c56ecf3 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/turbovnc-headless-server.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/turbovnc-headless-server.nix
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, lib, ... }: {
         )
         machine.execute(
             # Note trailing & for backgrounding.
-            f"({xvnc_command} | tee /tmp/Xvnc.stdout) 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3 | tee /tmp/Xvnc.stderr &",
+            f"({xvnc_command} | tee /tmp/Xvnc.stdout) 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3 | tee /tmp/Xvnc.stderr >&2 &",
         )
 
 
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, lib, ... }: {
     def test_glxgears_failing_with_bad_driver_path():
         machine.execute(
             # Note trailing & for backgrounding.
-            "(env DISPLAY=:0 LIBGL_DRIVERS_PATH=/nonexistent glxgears -info | tee /tmp/glxgears-should-fail.stdout) 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3 | tee /tmp/glxgears-should-fail.stderr &"
+            "(env DISPLAY=:0 LIBGL_DRIVERS_PATH=/nonexistent glxgears -info | tee /tmp/glxgears-should-fail.stdout) 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3 | tee /tmp/glxgears-should-fail.stderr >&2 &"
         )
         machine.wait_until_succeeds("test -f /tmp/glxgears-should-fail.stderr")
         wait_until_terminated_or_succeeds(
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, lib, ... }: {
     def test_glxgears_prints_renderer():
         machine.execute(
             # Note trailing & for backgrounding.
-            "(env DISPLAY=:0 glxgears -info | tee /tmp/glxgears.stdout) 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3 | tee /tmp/glxgears.stderr &"
+            "(env DISPLAY=:0 glxgears -info | tee /tmp/glxgears.stdout) 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3 | tee /tmp/glxgears.stderr >&2 &"
         )
         machine.wait_until_succeeds("test -f /tmp/glxgears.stderr")
         wait_until_terminated_or_succeeds(
diff --git a/nixos/tests/tuxguitar.nix b/nixos/tests/tuxguitar.nix
index 6586132d3cd4..63a7b6c7dec9 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/tuxguitar.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/tuxguitar.nix
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ... }: {
 
   testScript = ''
     machine.wait_for_x()
-    machine.succeed("tuxguitar &")
+    machine.succeed("tuxguitar >&2 &")
     machine.wait_for_window("TuxGuitar - Untitled.tg")
     machine.sleep(1)
     machine.screenshot("tuxguitar")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/virtualbox.nix b/nixos/tests/virtualbox.nix
index 09314d93b7d0..f15412d365fa 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/virtualbox.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/virtualbox.nix
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ in mapAttrs (mkVBoxTest false vboxVMs) {
 
 
     create_vm_simple()
-    machine.succeed(ru("VirtualBox &"))
+    machine.succeed(ru("VirtualBox >&2 &"))
     machine.wait_until_succeeds(ru("xprop -name 'Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager'"))
     machine.sleep(5)
     machine.screenshot("gui_manager_started")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/vscodium.nix b/nixos/tests/vscodium.nix
index ca75da35b1e1..033090aa0e3d 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/vscodium.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/vscodium.nix
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} :
 
     # Start VSCodium with a file that doesn't exist yet
     machine.fail("ls /home/alice/foo.txt")
-    machine.succeed("su - alice -c 'codium foo.txt' &")
+    machine.succeed("su - alice -c 'codium foo.txt' >&2 &")
 
     # Wait for the window to appear
     machine.wait_for_text("VSCodium")
diff --git a/nixos/tests/xrdp.nix b/nixos/tests/xrdp.nix
index 92eb7d4772ef..0e1d521c5ace 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/xrdp.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/xrdp.nix
@@ -32,13 +32,13 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
 
     client.sleep(5)
 
-    client.execute("xterm &")
+    client.execute("xterm >&2 &")
     client.sleep(1)
     client.send_chars("xfreerdp /cert-tofu /w:640 /h:480 /v:127.0.0.1 /u:${user.name} /p:${user.password}\n")
     client.sleep(5)
     client.screenshot("localrdp")
 
-    client.execute("xterm &")
+    client.execute("xterm >&2 &")
     client.sleep(1)
     client.send_chars("xfreerdp /cert-tofu /w:640 /h:480 /v:server /u:${user.name} /p:${user.password}\n")
     client.sleep(5)
diff --git a/nixos/tests/xterm.nix b/nixos/tests/xterm.nix
index 078d1dca9642..4ee31139ab52 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/xterm.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/xterm.nix
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
   testScript =
     ''
       machine.wait_for_x()
-      machine.succeed("DISPLAY=:0 xterm -title testterm -class testterm -fullscreen &")
+      machine.succeed("DISPLAY=:0 xterm -title testterm -class testterm -fullscreen >&2 &")
       machine.sleep(2)
       machine.send_chars("echo $XTERM_VERSION >> /tmp/xterm_version\n")
       machine.wait_for_file("/tmp/xterm_version")