diff --git a/jenkins/ci-pipelines/ci_stage_3.groovy b/jenkins/ci-pipelines/ci_stage_3.groovy
index eb5bd13..98acd29 100644
--- a/jenkins/ci-pipelines/ci_stage_3.groovy
+++ b/jenkins/ci-pipelines/ci_stage_3.groovy
@@ -456,6 +456,9 @@
                     remote.logLevel = 'INFO'
                     remote.pty = true
 
+                    // Ensure the VM is ready
+                    sshCommand remote: remote, command: 'cloud-init status --wait'
+
                     // Force time sync to avoid clock drift and invalid certificates
                     sshCommand remote: remote, command: """
                         sudo apt update