diff --git a/tests/qtest/migration-test.c b/tests/qtest/migration-test.c
index 520a5f917c..7be321b62d 100644
--- a/tests/qtest/migration-test.c
+++ b/tests/qtest/migration-test.c
@@ -1307,7 +1307,9 @@ static void test_precopy_common(MigrateCommon *args)
     }
 
     /* Wait for the first serial output from the source */
-    wait_for_serial("src_serial");
+    if (args->result == MIG_TEST_SUCCEED) {
+        wait_for_serial("src_serial");
+    }
 
     if (!args->connect_uri) {
         g_autofree char *local_connect_uri =