diff --git a/Lib/test/test_poplib.py b/Lib/test/test_poplib.py
index 35ff636b14a..ef8565c57fc 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_poplib.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_poplib.py
@@ -7,12 +7,13 @@ from unittest import TestCase
 from test import test_support
 
 
-def server(evt):
+def server(ready, evt):
     serv = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
     serv.settimeout(3)
     serv.setsockopt(socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1)
     serv.bind(("", 9091))
     serv.listen(5)
+    ready.set()
     try:
         conn, addr = serv.accept()
     except socket.timeout:
@@ -28,8 +29,9 @@ class GeneralTests(TestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
         self.evt = threading.Event()
-        threading.Thread(target=server, args=(self.evt,)).start()
-        time.sleep(.1)
+        self.ready = threading.Event()
+        threading.Thread(target=server, args=(self.ready, self.evt,)).start()
+        self.ready.wait()
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self.evt.wait()