diff --git a/tests/k8s-deploy/run-deploy-test.sh b/tests/k8s-deploy/run-deploy-test.sh
index 942110d4..cfc03138 100755
--- a/tests/k8s-deploy/run-deploy-test.sh
+++ b/tests/k8s-deploy/run-deploy-test.sh
@@ -230,7 +230,15 @@ fi
 # Use --delete-volumes to clear PVs so fresh PVCs can bind on restart.
 # Bind-mount data survives on the host filesystem; provisioner volumes are recreated fresh.
 $TEST_TARGET_SO deployment --dir $test_deployment_dir stop --delete-volumes --skip-cluster-management
-sleep 5
+# Wait for the namespace to be fully terminated before restarting.
+# Without this, 'start' fails with 403 Forbidden because the namespace
+# is still in Terminating state.
+for i in {1..60}; do
+    if ! kubectl get namespace laconic-${deployment_id} 2>/dev/null | grep -q .; then
+        break
+    fi
+    sleep 2
+done
 $TEST_TARGET_SO deployment --dir $test_deployment_dir start --skip-cluster-management
 wait_for_pods_started
 wait_for_log_output