diff --git a/packages/checks/garage.nix b/packages/checks/garage.nix
index f1a8dbc..6b9e34c 100644
--- a/packages/checks/garage.nix
+++ b/packages/checks/garage.nix
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ testers.runNixOSTest {
         node.wait_until_fails("garage status | grep 'NO ROLE ASSIGNED'")
 
     with subtest("should apply new layout with ascension"):
+      for node in nodes:
+        node.wait_until_succeeds('test "$(systemctl is-active ascend-garage-layout)" != activating')
+
       for node in nodes:
         node.succeed("/run/current-system/specialisation/modifiedLayout/bin/switch-to-configuration test")