diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 9499f97b..b2ec1c3f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -317,12 +317,9 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Wait for test pod to start
         run: |
-          kubectl wait \
-            --for=create \
-            pod \
-            -l job-name=$NAMEPREFIX \
-            -n default \
-            --timeout=120s
+          echo "Waiting for pod to be created..."
+          timeout 120 bash -c \
+            'until kubectl get pod -l job-name=$NAMEPREFIX -n default --no-headers 2>/dev/null | grep -q .; do sleep 5; done'
           kubectl wait \
             --for=condition=Ready \
             pod \