diff --git a/spec/selenium/helpers/files_common.rb b/spec/selenium/helpers/files_common.rb
index 0a2b96be126..b49edd4632e 100644
--- a/spec/selenium/helpers/files_common.rb
+++ b/spec/selenium/helpers/files_common.rb
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ module FilesCommon
       end
     end
     ff('.btn.btn-primary')[1].click
+    wait_for_ajaximations
   end
 
   def should_make_folders_in_the_menu_droppable
diff --git a/spec/selenium/new_files_student_spec.rb b/spec/selenium/new_files_student_spec.rb
index 78a46388686..71d7e2b6b50 100644
--- a/spec/selenium/new_files_student_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/selenium/new_files_student_spec.rb
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ describe "better_file_browsing" do
     def student_goto_files
       user_session(@student)
       get "/courses/#{@course.id}/files"
+      wait_for_ajaximations
     end
 
     def verify_hidden_item_not_searchable_as_student(search_text)
+      refresh_page
       student_goto_files
       f("input[type='search']").send_keys "#{search_text}"
       driver.action.send_keys(:return).perform