diff --git a/bin/install-package-tests b/bin/install-package-tests
index 9ed4dbc3..c1cf6a27 100755
--- a/bin/install-package-tests
+++ b/bin/install-package-tests
@@ -47,6 +47,18 @@ if [ -n "${WP_CLI_TEST_DBPASS}" ]; then
   TEST_PASSWORD="${WP_CLI_TEST_DBPASS}"
 fi
 
+echo 'Checking if MySQL is ready...'
+while ! mysql --user="${USER}" "${PASSWORD_STRING}" --execute="SHOW DATABASES;" | grep 'information_schema' >/dev/null;
+do
+  echo 'Waiting for MySQL...'
+  sleep 5
+  let "i+=1"
+  if [ $i -gt 36 ]; then
+	echo 'MySQL failed to start. Aborting.'
+	exit 1
+  fi
+done
+
 # Prepare the database for running the tests with a MySQL version 8.0 or higher.
 install_mysql_db_8_0_plus() {
 	set -ex