diff --git a/e2etest/unbondingwatcher_e2e_test.go b/e2etest/unbondingwatcher_e2e_test.go
index 9df557b..363691e 100644
--- a/e2etest/unbondingwatcher_e2e_test.go
+++ b/e2etest/unbondingwatcher_e2e_test.go
@@ -90,6 +90,10 @@ func TestUnbondingWatcher(t *testing.T) {
 
 			return nil
 		})
+		// wait for a bit to combat contention
+		if (i+1)%100 == 0 {
+			time.Sleep(7 * time.Second)
+		}
 	}
 	_ = gr.Wait()