diff --git a/vault/external_tests/misc/recovery_test.go b/vault/external_tests/misc/recovery_test.go
index 9b6b7c948..e22a8df3d 100644
--- a/vault/external_tests/misc/recovery_test.go
+++ b/vault/external_tests/misc/recovery_test.go
@@ -124,9 +124,11 @@ func TestRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 		cluster := vault.NewTestCluster(t, &conf, &opts)
 		cluster.BarrierKeys = keys
 		cluster.Start()
-		testhelpers.EnsureCoresUnsealed(t, cluster)
 		defer cluster.Cleanup()
 
+		testhelpers.EnsureCoresUnsealed(t, cluster)
+		vault.TestWaitActive(t, cluster.Cores[0].Core)
+
 		client := cluster.Cores[0].Client
 		client.SetToken(rootToken)
 		secret, err := client.Logical().List("secret/")