diff --git a/.github/workflows/perf.yml b/.github/workflows/perf.yml
index c08e3d107..4ddf83dfb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/perf.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/perf.yml
@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: Download dependencies
         run: npm ci
         working-directory: perf/runner
+      - name: wait for machines to boot
+        run: sleep 5
+        working-directory: perf/runner
       - name: Run tests
         env:
           SERVER_IP: ${{ steps.server.outputs.stdout }}