diff --git a/test/browser_test_helper.rb b/test/browser_test_helper.rb
index 5d7c594d6..33c56aea0 100644
--- a/test/browser_test_helper.rb
+++ b/test/browser_test_helper.rb
@@ -2525,6 +2525,8 @@ wait untill text in selector disabppears
       end
     end
 
+    # avoid accessing a stale element when accessing task type
+    sleep 1
     task_type(
       browser: instance,
       type:    params[:task_type] || 'stayOnTab',