diff --git a/test/parallel/test-debugger-exceptions.js b/test/parallel/test-debugger-exceptions.js
index 3f75161a6b6e3d..117a39c83af479 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-debugger-exceptions.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-debugger-exceptions.js
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@ const path = require('path');
       await cli.waitFor(/disconnect/);
 
       // Next run: With `breakOnException` it pauses in both places.
-      await cli.stepCommand('r');
+      await cli.command('r');
+      await cli.waitFor(/Debugger attached\./);
+      await cli.waitForPrompt();
       await cli.waitForInitialBreak();
       assert.deepStrictEqual(cli.breakInfo, { filename: script, line: 1 });
       await cli.command('breakOnException');
@@ -38,7 +40,9 @@ const path = require('path');
 
       // Next run: With `breakOnUncaught` it only pauses on the 2nd exception.
       await cli.command('breakOnUncaught');
-      await cli.stepCommand('r'); // Also, the setting survives the restart.
+      await cli.command('r'); // Also, the setting survives the restart.
+      await cli.waitFor(/Debugger attached\./);
+      await cli.waitForPrompt();
       await cli.waitForInitialBreak();
       assert.deepStrictEqual(cli.breakInfo, { filename: script, line: 1 });
       await cli.stepCommand('c');
@@ -46,7 +50,9 @@ const path = require('path');
 
       // Next run: Back to the initial state! It should die again.
       await cli.command('breakOnNone');
-      await cli.stepCommand('r');
+      await cli.command('r');
+      await cli.waitFor(/Debugger attached\./);
+      await cli.waitForPrompt();
       await cli.waitForInitialBreak();
       assert.deepStrictEqual(cli.breakInfo, { filename: script, line: 1 });
       await cli.command('c');