diff --git a/crates/vnidrop/tests/approval.rs b/crates/vnidrop/tests/approval.rs
index a09253b..726fa4d 100644
--- a/crates/vnidrop/tests/approval.rs
+++ b/crates/vnidrop/tests/approval.rs
@@ -73,14 +73,23 @@ fn public_share_receives_without_sender_approval() {
     assert_eq!(deliveries[0].receiver_name.as_deref(), Some("Receiver"));
     assert_eq!(deliveries[0].status, "completed");
     assert!(deliveries[0].completed_at.is_some());
-    assert!(
-        sender.sink.events().iter().any(|event| {
+    // The repository commit becomes visible just before the receipt handler
+    // emits its event, so completion and sink observation are not atomic.
+    let started = Instant::now();
+    loop {
+        if sender.sink.events().iter().any(|event| {
             event.phase == "delivery"
                 && event.kind == "receiver-completed"
                 && event.transfer_id == Some(share.transfer_id)
-        }),
-        "delivery receipts must emit a delivery phase event for UI live updates"
-    );
+        }) {
+            break;
+        }
+        assert!(
+            started.elapsed() < Duration::from_secs(5),
+            "delivery receipts must emit a delivery phase event for UI live updates"
+        );
+        std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(10));
+    }
 }
 
 #[test]