diff --git a/nano/core_test/ledger.cpp b/nano/core_test/ledger.cpp
index 50f1d061d9..a4a0c8998c 100644
--- a/nano/core_test/ledger.cpp
+++ b/nano/core_test/ledger.cpp
@@ -2999,8 +2999,14 @@ TEST (ledger, work_validation)
 
 	// With random work the block doesn't pass, then modifies the block with sufficient work and ensures a correct result
 	auto process_block = [&store, &ledger, &pool](nano::block & block_a, nano::block_details const details_a) {
+		auto threshold = nano::work_threshold (block_a.work_version (), details_a);
+		// Rarely failed with random work, so modify until it doesn't have enough difficulty
+		while (block_a.difficulty () >= threshold)
+		{
+			block_a.block_work_set (block_a.block_work () + 1);
+		}
 		EXPECT_EQ (nano::process_result::insufficient_work, ledger.process (store->tx_begin_write (), block_a).code);
-		block_a.block_work_set (*pool.generate (block_a.root (), nano::work_threshold (block_a.work_version (), details_a)));
+		block_a.block_work_set (*pool.generate (block_a.root (), threshold));
 		EXPECT_EQ (nano::process_result::progress, ledger.process (store->tx_begin_write (), block_a).code);
 	};