diff --git a/test/e2e/framework/node/wait.go b/test/e2e/framework/node/wait.go
index be1c8ca0eb1..c903ab0779c 100644
--- a/test/e2e/framework/node/wait.go
+++ b/test/e2e/framework/node/wait.go
@@ -214,8 +214,12 @@ func CheckReadyForTests(c clientset.Interface, nonblockingTaints string, allowed
 		}
 		allNodes, err := c.CoreV1().Nodes().List(context.TODO(), opts)
 		if err != nil {
+			var terminalListNodesErr error
 			e2elog.Logf("Unexpected error listing nodes: %v", err)
-			return false, err
+			if attempt >= 3 {
+				terminalListNodesErr = err
+			}
+			return false, terminalListNodesErr
 		}
 		for _, node := range allNodes.Items {
 			if !readyForTests(&node, nonblockingTaints) {