diff --git a/test/selfhost-ec2-create-test.js b/test/selfhost-ec2-create-test.js
index 677a1e5..56094ad 100644
--- a/test/selfhost-ec2-create-test.js
+++ b/test/selfhost-ec2-create-test.js
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ var AppStore = require('../appstore.js'),
     common = require('../common.js'),
     mailer = require('../mailer.js'),
     semver = require('semver'),
+    sleep = require('../shell.js').sleep,
     request = require('superagent-sync'),
     util = require('util');
 
@@ -108,6 +109,12 @@ describe('Selfhost EC2 Cloudron creation', function () {
         });
     });
 
+    it('can take a breather', function () {
+        // ec2 can be really slow to come up. the addon containers take their own sweet time (they are "async" with the box startup)
+        // we end up sending email even before the mail container is ready
+        sleep(120);
+    });
+
     it('can activate the box', function () {
         cloudron.activate(owner);
     });