diff --git a/support/scripts/boot-qemu-image.py b/support/scripts/boot-qemu-image.py
index 2c1afba398..dbbba552ad 100755
--- a/support/scripts/boot-qemu-image.py
+++ b/support/scripts/boot-qemu-image.py
@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@
 
 # This script expect to run from the Buildroot top directory.
 
+import os
 import pexpect
 import sys
-import os
+import time
 
 
 def main():
@@ -26,6 +27,10 @@ def main():
     # We want only stdout into the log to avoid double echo
     child.logfile = sys.stdout
 
+    # Let the spawn actually try to fork+exec to the wrapper, and then
+    # let the wrapper exec the qemu process.
+    time.sleep(1)
+
     try:
         child.expect(["buildroot login:", pexpect.TIMEOUT], timeout=60)
     except pexpect.EOF as e: