diff --git a/examples/src/bin/k8s_runner.rs b/examples/src/bin/k8s_runner.rs
index 2a0c2a5..de4d18e 100644
--- a/examples/src/bin/k8s_runner.rs
+++ b/examples/src/bin/k8s_runner.rs
@@ -75,10 +75,11 @@ async fn run_k8s_case(
     let validator_clients = runner.context().node_clients().validator_clients().to_vec();
 
     info!("running scenario");
-    let _handle = runner
+    // Keep the handle alive until after we query consensus info, so port-forwards
+    // and services stay up while we inspect nodes.
+    let handle = runner
         .run(&mut plan)
         .await
-        .map(|_| ())
         .map_err(|err| format!("k8s scenario failed: {err}"))?;
 
     for (idx, client) in validator_clients.iter().enumerate() {
@@ -95,6 +96,9 @@ async fn run_k8s_case(
         }
     }
 
+    // Explicitly drop after checks, allowing cleanup to proceed.
+    drop(handle);
+
     Ok(())
 }