diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/btf.c b/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/btf.c
index 8fb4a04fbbc04..7feb4223bbacd 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/btf.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/btf.c
@@ -4629,6 +4629,7 @@ static int test_btf_id(unsigned int test_num)
 
 	/* The map holds the last ref to BTF and its btf_id */
 	close(map_fd);
+	kern_sync_rcu();
 	map_fd = -1;
 	btf_fd[0] = bpf_btf_get_fd_by_id(map_info.btf_id);
 	if (CHECK(btf_fd[0] >= 0, "BTF lingers")) {