diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/direct_imap.py b/python/src/deltachat/direct_imap.py
index 79a99cd38..2d86b9754 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/direct_imap.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/direct_imap.py
@@ -196,6 +196,7 @@ class DirectImap:
             raise TimeoutError
         if terminate:
             self.idle_done()
+        self.account.log("imap-direct: idle_check returned {!r}".format(res))
         return res
 
     def idle_wait_for_seen(self):
diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/events.py b/python/src/deltachat/events.py
index ccc80a4ef..277d37f7d 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/events.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/events.py
@@ -86,11 +86,11 @@ class FFIEventTracker:
             if rex.match(ev.name):
                 return ev
 
-    def get_info_matching(self, regex):
-        rex = re.compile("(?:{}).*".format(regex))
+    def get_info_contains(self, regex):
+        rex = re.compile(regex)
         while 1:
             ev = self.get_matching("DC_EVENT_INFO")
-            if rex.match(ev.data2):
+            if rex.search(ev.data2):
                 return ev
 
     def ensure_event_not_queued(self, event_name_regex):
diff --git a/python/tests/test_account.py b/python/tests/test_account.py
index a402cfc72..7e4f8c710 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_account.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_account.py
@@ -1551,21 +1551,23 @@ class TestOnlineAccount:
 
         acfactory.wait_configure_and_start_io()
 
-        imap = ac2.direct_imap
-        imap.idle_start()
+        imap2 = ac2.direct_imap
+        imap2.idle_start()
 
         lp.sec("ac1: create chat with ac2")
         chat1 = ac1.create_chat(ac2)
         ac2.create_chat(ac1)
 
         sent_msg = chat1.send_text("hello")
-        imap.idle_check(terminate=False)
+        imap2.idle_check(terminate=False)
 
         msg = ac2._evtracker.wait_next_incoming_message()
         assert msg.text == "hello"
 
-        imap.idle_check(terminate=True)
-        assert len(imap.get_all_messages()) == 0
+        imap2.idle_check(terminate=True)
+        ac2._evtracker.get_info_contains("close/expunge succeeded")
+
+        assert len(imap2.get_all_messages()) == 0
 
         # Mark deleted message as seen and check that read receipt arrives
         msg.mark_seen()