diff --git a/artio-system-tests/src/test/java/uk/co/real_logic/artio/system_tests/SlowConsumerTest.java b/artio-system-tests/src/test/java/uk/co/real_logic/artio/system_tests/SlowConsumerTest.java
index 2bef3dccc2..95fae62f0d 100644
--- a/artio-system-tests/src/test/java/uk/co/real_logic/artio/system_tests/SlowConsumerTest.java
+++ b/artio-system-tests/src/test/java/uk/co/real_logic/artio/system_tests/SlowConsumerTest.java
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ public void shouldQuarantineThenDisconnectASlowConsumer() throws IOException
                     hasBecomeSlow = true;
                 }
 
-                sendMessage();
+                sendMessageWithRetry();
             }
 
             testSystem.poll();
@@ -174,6 +174,11 @@ private void sessionBecomesSlow()
         assertTrue(session.isSlowConsumer());
     }
 
+    private void sendMessageWithRetry()
+    {
+        testSystem.awaitSend(this::sendMessage);
+    }
+
     private long sendMessage()
     {
         if (sendMetadata)
@@ -207,7 +212,7 @@ public void shouldRestoreConnectionFromSlowGroupWhenItCatchesUp() throws IOExcep
             }
             while (bytesRead > 0);
 
-            sendMessage();
+            sendMessageWithRetry();
 
             testSystem.poll();
         }
@@ -260,7 +265,7 @@ private ConnectedSessionInfo sessionBecomesSlow(final MessageTimingCaptor messag
         {
             for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
             {
-                sendMessage();
+                sendMessageWithRetry();
             }
 
             testSystem.poll();