diff --git a/e2e/tests/test_e2e.py b/e2e/tests/test_e2e.py
index 0db4080db..8d65f71ce 100644
--- a/e2e/tests/test_e2e.py
+++ b/e2e/tests/test_e2e.py
@@ -264,7 +264,8 @@ class K8s:
     def wait_for_operator_pod_start(self):
         self. wait_for_pod_start("name=postgres-operator")
         # HACK operator must register CRD / add existing PG clusters after pod start up
-        time.sleep(10)
+        # for local execution 10 suffices
+        time.sleep(30)
 
     def wait_for_pod_start(self, pod_labels, namespace='default'):
         pod_phase = 'No pod running'