diff --git a/nixos/tests/budgie.nix b/nixos/tests/budgie.nix
index b1b0e618c884..34ee1e303de9 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/budgie.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/budgie.nix
@@ -32,7 +32,15 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, lib, ... }: {
     in
     ''
       with subtest("Wait for login"):
-          machine.wait_for_x()
+          # wait_for_x() checks graphical-session.target, which is expected to be
+          # inactive on Budgie before #228946 (i.e. systemd managed gnome-session) is
+          # done on upstream.
+          # https://github.com/BuddiesOfBudgie/budgie-desktop/blob/v10.7.2/src/session/budgie-desktop.in#L16
+          #
+          # Previously this was unconditionally touched by xsessionWrapper but was
+          # changed in #233981 (we have Budgie:GNOME in XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP).
+          # machine.wait_for_x()
+          machine.wait_until_succeeds('journalctl -t gnome-session-binary --grep "Entering running state"')
           machine.wait_for_file("${user.home}/.Xauthority")
           machine.succeed("xauth merge ${user.home}/.Xauthority")