diff --git a/testsuite/expect/test15.17 b/testsuite/expect/test15.17
index 67759cc2aeb3eab24f45724852fc44b2bcd9385b..0d27103473ae20f10690ff3929669afa917640c1 100755
--- a/testsuite/expect/test15.17
+++ b/testsuite/expect/test15.17
@@ -74,6 +74,11 @@ expect {
 		exp_continue
 	}
 	-re "Submitted batch job ($number)" {
+#
+#		Sleep gives time for the batch job to start and prevents a race
+#		condition that can briefly leave node in a not responding state
+#
+		sleep 1
 		set job_id_2 $expect_out(1,string)
 		send "exit \r"
 		exp_continue