diff --git a/gnu/tests/virtualization.scm b/gnu/tests/virtualization.scm
index c8b42eb1db..ed8d6b1c85 100644
--- a/gnu/tests/virtualization.scm
+++ b/gnu/tests/virtualization.scm
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@
                      ((pid) (number? pid))))))
              marionette))
 
+          ;; Give the libvirtd service time to start up.
+          (sleep 1)
+
           (test-eq "fetch version"
             0
             (marionette-eval