diff --git a/tests/e2e/mock/scenarios/stream-mode/run.sh b/tests/e2e/mock/scenarios/stream-mode/run.sh
index a47d63e..4b97ba1 100755
--- a/tests/e2e/mock/scenarios/stream-mode/run.sh
+++ b/tests/e2e/mock/scenarios/stream-mode/run.sh
@@ -34,10 +34,11 @@ body() {
   echo "[$SCENARIO] previously CIDR-banned IP must pass again once deletion is polled"
   wait_for_status "http://127.0.0.1:${WEB_PORT}/foo" 200 15 -H "X-Forwarded-For: 10.0.0.1"
 
-  echo "[$SCENARIO] making the stream endpoint fail -> bouncer must pass for one more cycle (updateMaxFailure: 2)"
+  echo "[$SCENARIO] making the stream endpoint fail -> bouncer must still pass (updateMaxFailure: 2)"
   lapi_set_stream_fail
-  sleep 2 # update cache is every 1 seconds then waiting for minimum 1 cycle
-  wait_for_status "http://127.0.0.1:${WEB_PORT}/foo" 200 15 -H "X-Forwarded-For: 8.8.8.8"
+  # No sleep: the bouncer gives up on the third failed poll, so at a 1s interval the
+  # window where it still serves is ~3s wide and never reopens. Assert inside it.
+  assert_status "http://127.0.0.1:${WEB_PORT}/foo" 200 -H "X-Forwarded-For: 8.8.8.8"
 
   echo "[$SCENARIO] bouncer must block everything (isStreamHealthy: false)"
   wait_for_status "http://127.0.0.1:${WEB_PORT}/foo" 403 15 -H "X-Forwarded-For: 8.8.8.8"