diff --git a/core/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/gateway/MetaDataWriteDataNodesIT.java b/core/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/gateway/MetaDataWriteDataNodesIT.java
index 2f1454b8502..4999ef5eac5 100644
--- a/core/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/gateway/MetaDataWriteDataNodesIT.java
+++ b/core/src/test/java/org/elasticsearch/gateway/MetaDataWriteDataNodesIT.java
@@ -142,6 +142,8 @@ public class MetaDataWriteDataNodesIT extends ESIntegTestCase {
 
         // finally check that meta data is also written of index opened again
         assertAcked(client().admin().indices().prepareOpen(index).get());
+        // make sure index is fully initialized and nothing is changed anymore
+        ensureGreen();
         indicesMetaData = getIndicesMetaDataOnNode(dataNode);
         assertThat(indicesMetaData.get(index).getState(), equalTo(IndexMetaData.State.OPEN));
     }