diff --git a/nixos/tests/systemd-initrd-vconsole.nix b/nixos/tests/systemd-initrd-vconsole.nix
index b74df410c422..d4c2a57680c1 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/systemd-initrd-vconsole.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/systemd-initrd-vconsole.nix
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ lib, pkgs, ... }: {
   name = "systemd-initrd-vconsole";
 
   nodes.machine = { pkgs, ... }: {
-    boot.kernelParams = [ "rd.systemd.unit=rescue.target" ];
+    boot.kernelParams = lib.mkAfter [ "rd.systemd.unit=rescue.target" "loglevel=3" "udev.log_level=3" "systemd.log_level=warning" ];
 
     boot.initrd.systemd = {
       enable = true;
@@ -20,14 +20,23 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ lib, pkgs, ... }: {
     machine.start()
     machine.wait_for_console_text("Press Enter for maintenance")
     machine.send_console("\n")
-    machine.wait_for_console_text("Logging in with home")
+
+    # Wait for shell to become ready
+    for _ in range(300):
+      machine.send_console("printf '%s to receive commands:\\n' Ready\n")
+      try:
+        machine.wait_for_console_text("Ready to receive commands:", timeout=1)
+        break
+      except Exception:
+        continue
+    else:
+      raise RuntimeError("Rescue shell never became ready")
 
     # Check keymap
-    machine.send_console("(printf '%s to receive text: \\n' Ready && read text && echo \"$text\") </dev/tty1\n")
+    machine.send_console("(printf '%s to receive text:\\n' Ready && read text && echo \"$text\") </dev/tty1\n")
     machine.wait_for_console_text("Ready to receive text:")
     for key in "asdfjkl;\n":
       machine.send_key(key)
     machine.wait_for_console_text("arstneio")
-    machine.send_console("systemctl poweroff\n")
   '';
 })