diff --git a/bin/tests/system/nsupdate/tests.sh b/bin/tests/system/nsupdate/tests.sh
index 901cd22f57..d5c0f07e9b 100755
--- a/bin/tests/system/nsupdate/tests.sh
+++ b/bin/tests/system/nsupdate/tests.sh
@@ -424,8 +424,6 @@ update add example 3600 nsec3param 1 0 0 -
 send
 EOF
 
-sleep 1
-
 # the zone is not signed.  The nsec3param records should be removed.
 # this also proves that the server is still running.
 $DIG $DIGOPTS +tcp +noadd +nosea +nostat +noquest +nocmd +norec example.\
@@ -443,8 +441,6 @@ update add nsec3param.test 3600 NSEC3PARAM 1 0 1 -
 send
 EOF
 
-sleep 1
-
 $DIG $DIGOPTS +tcp +noadd +nosea +nostat +noquest +nocmd +norec nsec3param.test.\
         @10.53.0.3 nsec3param > dig.out.ns3.$n || ret=1
 grep "ANSWER: 1" dig.out.ns3.$n > /dev/null || ret=1