diff --git a/cmd/kops/validate_cluster.go b/cmd/kops/validate_cluster.go
index b39f20ae2b..feca3f97c4 100644
--- a/cmd/kops/validate_cluster.go
+++ b/cmd/kops/validate_cluster.go
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ func RunValidateCluster(ctx context.Context, f *util.Factory, out io.Writer, opt
 
 	consecutive := 0
 	for {
-		if options.wait > 0 && time.Now().After(timeout) {
+		if options.wait > 0 && time.Now().After(timeout) && consecutive == 0 {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("wait time exceeded during validation")
 		}