diff --git a/tests/plugins/slow_init.py b/tests/plugins/slow_init.py
index 91945d7df..48c279047 100755
--- a/tests/plugins/slow_init.py
+++ b/tests/plugins/slow_init.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ plugin = Plugin()
 @plugin.init()
 def init(options, configuration, plugin):
     plugin.log("slow_init.py initializing {}".format(configuration))
-    time.sleep(2)
+    time.sleep(11)
 
 
 plugin.run()
diff --git a/tests/test_plugin.py b/tests/test_plugin.py
index 53e9474df..b1e6ef84c 100644
--- a/tests/test_plugin.py
+++ b/tests/test_plugin.py
@@ -97,7 +97,8 @@ def test_plugin_slowinit(node_factory):
     """Tests that the 'plugin' RPC command times out if plugin doesnt respond"""
     n = node_factory.get_node()
 
-    n.rpc.plugin_start(os.path.join(os.getcwd(), "tests/plugins/slow_init.py"))
+    with pytest.raises(RpcError, match="Timed out while waiting for plugin response"):
+        n.rpc.plugin_start(os.path.join(os.getcwd(), "tests/plugins/slow_init.py"))
 
     # It's not actually configured yet, see what happens;
     # make sure 'rescan' and 'list' controls dont crash