diff --git a/tests/unit/test_intercomm.c b/tests/unit/test_intercomm.c
index 36fb2a72ad28..e6f5376b7973 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_intercomm.c
+++ b/tests/unit/test_intercomm.c
@@ -400,8 +400,10 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	    	printf("%d test_intercomm file created ncid = %d\n", my_rank, ncid);
 
 	    /* /\* End define mode, then re-enter it. *\/ */
+	    sleep(1);
 	    if ((ret = PIOc_enddef(ncid)))
 	    	ERR(ret);
+	    sleep(1);
 	    if (verbose)
 	    	printf("%d test_intercomm calling redef\n", my_rank);
 	    if ((ret = PIOc_redef(ncid)))