diff --git a/e2e/local-homeserver.spec.ts b/e2e/local-homeserver.spec.ts
index 62e41769e..0df5c0d1a 100644
--- a/e2e/local-homeserver.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/local-homeserver.spec.ts
@@ -257,12 +257,21 @@ test.describe('local homeserver regression', () => {
     await page.clock.install({ time: Date.now() + 14 * 60 * 1000 });
     await loginUI(page, alice);
     await openRoom(page, room);
-    for (let i = 0; i < 4; i += 1) {
-      // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
-      await sendText(bob, room, `tick ${i}`);
-      // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
-      await page.waitForTimeout(500);
-    }
+    const ticks = async (from: number, n: number) => {
+      for (let i = from; i < from + n; i += 1) {
+        // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
+        await sendText(bob, room, `tick ${i}`);
+        // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop
+        await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+      }
+    };
+    await ticks(0, 4);
+    // "Ahead" could be a late delivery (a stalled server), so it is only
+    // reported once it has held for a minute of fresh samples.
+    await page.waitForTimeout(2000);
+    await expect(page.getByText(/clock is .*ahead of the server/)).toHaveCount(0);
+    await page.clock.fastForward('01:05');
+    await ticks(4, 2);
     await expect(page.getByText(/clock is .*14 minutes ahead of the server/)).toBeVisible();
     await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Dismiss for 24 h' }).click();
     await expect(page.getByText(/clock is .*ahead of the server/)).toHaveCount(0);