diff --git a/pytest/tests/sanity/block_production.py b/pytest/tests/sanity/block_production.py
index 77ff7d1ea49..7e340f5f90e 100644
--- a/pytest/tests/sanity/block_production.py
+++ b/pytest/tests/sanity/block_production.py
@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ def heights_report():
 while max_height < BLOCKS:
     assert time.time() - started < TIMEOUT
     for i, node in enumerate(nodes):
+        # the test relies on us being able to query heights faster
+        # than the blocks are produced. Validating store takes up
+        # to 350ms on slower hardware for this test, multiplied
+        # by four nodes querying heights every 1 second becomes
+        # unfeasible
+        node.stop_checking_store()
         status = node.get_status()
         height = status['sync_info']['latest_block_height']
         hash_ = status['sync_info']['latest_block_hash']