diff --git a/test/functional/llmq-is-cl-conflicts.py b/test/functional/llmq-is-cl-conflicts.py
index 9853704a4bde..7fe8db01caba 100755
--- a/test/functional/llmq-is-cl-conflicts.py
+++ b/test/functional/llmq-is-cl-conflicts.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 from test_framework.blocktools import get_masternode_payment, create_coinbase, create_block
 from test_framework.mininode import *
 from test_framework.test_framework import DashTestFramework
-from test_framework.util import sync_blocks, p2p_port, assert_raises_rpc_error, set_node_times
+from test_framework.util import sync_blocks, sync_mempools, p2p_port, assert_raises_rpc_error, set_node_times
 
 '''
 llmq-is-cl-conflicts.py
@@ -102,6 +102,8 @@ def test_chainlock_overrides_islock(self, test_block_conflict):
         rawtx4 = self.nodes[0].signrawtransaction(rawtx4)['hex']
         rawtx4_txid = self.nodes[0].sendrawtransaction(rawtx4)
 
+        # wait for transactions to propagate
+        sync_mempools(self.nodes)
         for node in self.nodes:
             self.wait_for_instantlock(rawtx1_txid, node)
             self.wait_for_instantlock(rawtx4_txid, node)
@@ -143,6 +145,8 @@ def test_chainlock_overrides_islock(self, test_block_conflict):
         rawtx5 = self.nodes[0].createrawtransaction(inputs, {self.nodes[0].getnewaddress(): 0.999})
         rawtx5 = self.nodes[0].signrawtransaction(rawtx5)['hex']
         rawtx5_txid = self.nodes[0].sendrawtransaction(rawtx5)
+        # wait for the transaction to propagate
+        sync_mempools(self.nodes)
         for node in self.nodes:
             self.wait_for_instantlock(rawtx5_txid, node)
 
diff --git a/test/functional/p2p-instantsend.py b/test/functional/p2p-instantsend.py
index 6b83ee4a4277..8f50439b83ee 100755
--- a/test/functional/p2p-instantsend.py
+++ b/test/functional/p2p-instantsend.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 from test_framework.mininode import *
 from test_framework.test_framework import DashTestFramework
-from test_framework.util import isolate_node, set_node_times, reconnect_isolated_node, assert_equal, \
+from test_framework.util import isolate_node, sync_mempools, set_node_times, reconnect_isolated_node, assert_equal, \
     assert_raises_rpc_error
 
 '''
@@ -50,9 +50,12 @@ def test_block_doublespend(self):
         # instantsend to receiver
         receiver_addr = receiver.getnewaddress()
         is_id = sender.sendtoaddress(receiver_addr, 0.9)
-        for node in self.nodes:
-            if node is not isolated:
-                self.wait_for_instantlock(is_id, node)
+        # wait for the transaction to propagate
+        connected_nodes = self.nodes.copy()
+        del connected_nodes[self.isolated_idx]
+        sync_mempools(connected_nodes)
+        for node in connected_nodes:
+            self.wait_for_instantlock(is_id, node)
         # send doublespend transaction to isolated node
         isolated.sendrawtransaction(dblspnd_tx['hex'])
         # generate block on isolated node with doublespend transaction
@@ -109,6 +112,8 @@ def test_mempool_doublespend(self):
         # TX from other nodes.
         receiver_addr = receiver.getnewaddress()
         is_id = sender.sendtoaddress(receiver_addr, 0.9)
+        # wait for the transaction to propagate
+        sync_mempools(self.nodes)
         for node in self.nodes:
             self.wait_for_instantlock(is_id, node)
         assert_raises_rpc_error(-5, "No such mempool or blockchain transaction", isolated.getrawtransaction, dblspnd_txid)
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
index c59b6277d223..9e7c289b7f96 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
@@ -38,7 +38,9 @@
     sync_blocks,
     sync_mempools,
     sync_masternodes,
-    wait_to_sync)
+    wait_to_sync,
+    wait_until,
+)
 
 class TestStatus(Enum):
     PASSED = 1
@@ -687,22 +689,12 @@ def create_raw_tx(self, node_from, node_to, amount, min_inputs, max_inputs):
         return ret
 
     def wait_for_instantlock(self, txid, node):
-        # wait for instantsend locks
-        start = time.time()
-        locked = False
-        while True:
+        def check_instantlock():
             try:
-                is_tx = node.getrawtransaction(txid, True)
-                if is_tx['instantlock']:
-                    locked = True
-                    break
+                return node.getrawtransaction(txid, True)["instantlock"]
             except:
-                # TX not received yet?
-                pass
-            if time.time() > start + 10:
-                break
-            time.sleep(0.5)
-        return locked
+                return False
+        wait_until(check_instantlock, timeout=10, sleep=0.5)
 
     def wait_for_sporks_same(self, timeout=30):
         st = time.time()