diff --git a/spring-data-neo4j-rest/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/neo4j/rest/support/LocalTestServer.java b/spring-data-neo4j-rest/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/neo4j/rest/support/LocalTestServer.java
index 04473ad3f..ee9ba2644 100644
--- a/spring-data-neo4j-rest/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/neo4j/rest/support/LocalTestServer.java
+++ b/spring-data-neo4j-rest/src/test/java/org/springframework/data/neo4j/rest/support/LocalTestServer.java
@@ -106,6 +106,10 @@ public class LocalTestServer {
         };
         neoServer.start();
         neoServer.getWebServer().getJetty().setStopAtShutdown(true);
+        // let the server get fully started
+        try {
+            Thread.sleep(500L);
+        } catch (InterruptedException e) {}
     }
 
     public void stop() {