diff --git a/akka-stream-tests/src/test/scala/akka/stream/scaladsl/HubSpec.scala b/akka-stream-tests/src/test/scala/akka/stream/scaladsl/HubSpec.scala
index 14144b04e0..85b6f5e31f 100644
--- a/akka-stream-tests/src/test/scala/akka/stream/scaladsl/HubSpec.scala
+++ b/akka-stream-tests/src/test/scala/akka/stream/scaladsl/HubSpec.scala
@@ -313,6 +313,10 @@ class HubSpec extends StreamSpec {
       downstream1.request(4)
       downstream2.request(8)
 
+      // sending the first element is in a race with downstream subscribing
+      // give a bit of time for the downstream to complete subscriptions
+      Thread.sleep(50)
+
       (1 to 8) foreach (upstream.sendNext(_))
 
       downstream1.expectNext(1, 2, 3, 4)
@@ -576,6 +580,10 @@ class HubSpec extends StreamSpec {
       downstream1.request(4)
       downstream2.request(8)
 
+      // to make sure downstream subscriptions are done before
+      // starting to send elements
+      Thread.sleep(50)
+
       (0 until 16) foreach (upstream.sendNext(_))
 
       downstream1.expectNext(0, 2, 4, 6)