diff --git a/test/functional/services/filter_bar.ts b/test/functional/services/filter_bar.ts
index be4abf4e0daf2..c508410739db0 100644
--- a/test/functional/services/filter_bar.ts
+++ b/test/functional/services/filter_bar.ts
@@ -133,10 +133,11 @@ export class FilterBarService extends FtrService {
    * @param key field name
    */
   public async removeFilter(key: string): Promise<void> {
-    await this.retry.try(async () => {
+    await this.retry.waitFor('filter pill context menu is open', async () => {
       await this.testSubjects.click(`~filter & ~filter-key-${key}`);
-      await this.testSubjects.click(`deleteFilter`);
+      return await this.testSubjects.exists('deleteFilter');
     });
+    await this.testSubjects.click(`deleteFilter`);
     await this.header.awaitGlobalLoadingIndicatorHidden();
   }