diff --git a/tests/shabby/reconnect_delay.py b/tests/shabby/reconnect_delay.py
index e85c109e..3d56bff1 100644
--- a/tests/shabby/reconnect_delay.py
+++ b/tests/shabby/reconnect_delay.py
@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ def test_hard_server_error():
 
     assert mc.set('foo', 1)
     memcached_server_ctl('stop', normal_port)
+
+    # I dont know why,
+    # but the server is still connectable after stop.
+    # add a sleep to wait for the server quit
+    time.sleep(3)
+
     assert not mc.set('foo', 1)  # fail
     memcached_server_ctl('start', normal_port)
     assert not mc.set('foo', 1)  # still fail