diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index c5374acc..5bca8005 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -291,6 +291,11 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Wait for test pod to start
         run: |
+          kubectl wait pod \
+            -l job-name=$NAMEPREFIX \
+            -n default \
+            --for=exists \
+            --timeout=120s
           kubectl wait pod \
             -l job-name=$NAMEPREFIX \
             -n default \