diff --git a/docker-compose.test.yml b/docker-compose.test.yml
index 585b6c81..d5b2eb5c 100644
--- a/docker-compose.test.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.test.yml
@@ -69,7 +69,11 @@ services:
       etherpad:
         condition: service_started
     ports:
-      - "8005:8080" 
+      - "8005:8080"
+    healthcheck: 
+      test: "python3 manage.py check --database default" 
+      timeout: 20s
+      retries: 20
     volumes:
       - /srv/APIKEY.txt:/app/etherpad/APIKEY.txt
       - /srv/files:/app/files