diff --git a/tests/kafkatest/tests/client/consumer_test.py b/tests/kafkatest/tests/client/consumer_test.py
index 131123f55ff3c..731a24de915dd 100644
--- a/tests/kafkatest/tests/client/consumer_test.py
+++ b/tests/kafkatest/tests/client/consumer_test.py
@@ -254,7 +254,9 @@ def test_fencing_static_consumer(self, num_conflict_consumers, fencing_stage):
             self.await_members(conflict_consumer, num_conflict_consumers)
             self.await_members(consumer, len(consumer.nodes) - num_conflict_consumers)
 
-            assert len(consumer.dead_nodes()) == num_conflict_consumers
+            wait_until(lambda: len(consumer.dead_nodes()) == num_conflict_consumers,
+                       timeout_sec=10,
+                       err_msg="Timed out waiting for the fenced consumers to stop")
         else:
             consumer.start()
             conflict_consumer.start()