diff --git a/t/test-lib.sh b/t/test-lib.sh
index 14dff5cf1f..251f4d6a96 100644
--- a/t/test-lib.sh
+++ b/t/test-lib.sh
@@ -880,7 +880,11 @@ test_done () {
 			error "Tests passed but trash directory already removed before test cleanup; aborting"
 
 			cd "$TRASH_DIRECTORY/.." &&
-			rm -fr "$TRASH_DIRECTORY" ||
+			rm -fr "$TRASH_DIRECTORY" || {
+				# try again in a bit
+				sleep 5;
+				rm -fr "$TRASH_DIRECTORY"
+			} ||
 			error "Tests passed but test cleanup failed; aborting"
 		fi
 		test_at_end_hook_