diff --git a/test/pc_rpc.py b/test/pc_rpc.py
index 37a3d6c7d..b6cd4f323 100644
--- a/test/pc_rpc.py
+++ b/test/pc_rpc.py
@@ -22,8 +22,14 @@ class RPCCase(unittest.TestCase):
                 test_object = [5, 2.1, None, True, False,
                                {"a": 5, 2: np.linspace(0, 10, 1)},
                                (4, 5), (10,), "ab\nx\"'"]
-                time.sleep(.5)  # wait for the server to start
-                remote = pc_rpc.Client(test_address, test_port)
+                for attempt in range(100):
+                    time.sleep(.2)
+                    try:
+                        remote = pc_rpc.Client(test_address, test_port)
+                    except ConnectionRefusedError:
+                        pass
+                    else:
+                        break
                 try:
                     test_object_back = remote.echo(test_object)
                     with self.assertRaises(pc_rpc.RemoteError):