diff --git a/test/new-e2e/pkg/utils/e2e/client/agent_client.go b/test/new-e2e/pkg/utils/e2e/client/agent_client.go
index bec79770a38d51..10c494adad055b 100644
--- a/test/new-e2e/pkg/utils/e2e/client/agent_client.go
+++ b/test/new-e2e/pkg/utils/e2e/client/agent_client.go
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ func NewHostAgentClient(context common.Context, hostOutput remote.HostOutput, wa
 
 	if params.ShouldWaitForReady {
 		if err := waitForReadyTimeout(commandRunner, agentReadyTimeout); err != nil {
+			commandRunner.isReady = true
 			return nil, err
 		}
 	}