diff --git a/nixos/tests/gnome.nix b/nixos/tests/gnome.nix
index 06f387ecad67..4471126902a6 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/gnome.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/gnome.nix
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ import ./make-test-python.nix ({ pkgs, lib, ...} : {
           enable = true;
           user = "alice";
         };
+        # Catch GDM failures that don't happen with AutomaticLoginEnable, e.g. https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/149539
+        gdm.autoLogin.delay = 1;
       };
 
       services.xserver.desktopManager.gnome.enable = true;