diff --git a/orbit/pkg/update/notifications_test.go b/orbit/pkg/update/notifications_test.go
index bcbb1c3815..2e5c4b12dd 100644
--- a/orbit/pkg/update/notifications_test.go
+++ b/orbit/pkg/update/notifications_test.go
@@ -315,16 +315,15 @@ func TestWindowsMDMEnrollmentPrevented(t *testing.T) {
 				require.Equal(t, baseFetcher.cfg, cfg)
 			}
 
-			started := make(chan struct{})
 			go func() {
-				close(started)
-
 				// the first call will block in enroll/unenroll func
 				cfg, err := fetcher.GetConfig()
 				assertResult(cfg, err)
 			}()
 
-			<-started
+			// wait a little bit to ensure the first `fetcher.GetConfig` call runs first.
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
 			// this call will happen while the first call is blocked in
 			// enroll/unenrollfn, so it won't call the API (won't be able to lock the
 			// mutex). However it will still complete successfully without being