diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/account.py b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
index 68b3d71b8..005ebfa59 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/account.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
@@ -578,6 +578,11 @@ class IOThreads:
 
     def stop(self, wait=False):
         self._thread_quitflag = True
+
+        # Workaround for a race condition. Make sure that thread is
+        # not in between checking for quitflag and entering idle.
+        time.sleep(0.5)
+
         lib.dc_interrupt_imap_idle(self._dc_context)
         lib.dc_interrupt_smtp_idle(self._dc_context)
         lib.dc_interrupt_mvbox_idle(self._dc_context)