diff --git a/tests/multi_bluetooth/ble_characteristic.py b/tests/multi_bluetooth/ble_characteristic.py
index 492f59dbd4..50b12681eb 100644
--- a/tests/multi_bluetooth/ble_characteristic.py
+++ b/tests/multi_bluetooth/ble_characteristic.py
@@ -90,10 +90,12 @@ def wait_for_event(event, timeout_ms):
 def instance0():
     multitest.globals(BDADDR=ble.config("mac"))
     ((char_handle,),) = ble.gatts_register_services(SERVICES)
-    print("gap_advertise")
-    ble.gap_advertise(20_000, b"\x02\x01\x06\x04\xffMPY")
     multitest.next()
     try:
+        print("gap_advertise")
+        ble.gap_advertise(20_000, b"\x02\x01\x06\x04\xffMPY")
+        multitest.broadcast("peripheral:adv")
+
         # Write initial characteristic value.
         ble.gatts_write(char_handle, "periph0")
 
@@ -146,6 +148,8 @@ def instance0():
 def instance1():
     multitest.next()
     try:
+        multitest.wait("peripheral:adv")
+
         # Connect to peripheral and then disconnect.
         print("gap_connect")
         ble.gap_connect(*BDADDR)
diff --git a/tests/multi_bluetooth/ble_gap_device_name.py b/tests/multi_bluetooth/ble_gap_device_name.py
index 556068114b..273c0bd11f 100644
--- a/tests/multi_bluetooth/ble_gap_device_name.py
+++ b/tests/multi_bluetooth/ble_gap_device_name.py
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ def instance0():
             print(ble.config("gap_name"))
             ble.gap_advertise(20_000)
 
+            multitest.broadcast("peripheral:adv:{}".format(iteration))
+
             # Wait for central to connect, then wait for it to disconnect.
             wait_for_event(_IRQ_CENTRAL_CONNECT, TIMEOUT_MS)
             wait_for_event(_IRQ_CENTRAL_DISCONNECT, 4 * TIMEOUT_MS)
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ def instance1():
         value_handle = None
         for iteration in range(2):
             # Wait for peripheral to start advertising.
-            time.sleep_ms(500)
+            multitest.wait("peripheral:adv:{}".format(iteration))
 
             # Connect to peripheral.
             print("gap_connect")