diff --git a/test/pummel/test-watch-file.js b/test/pummel/test-watch-file.js
index 9bac9004835c59..bbbbf396d72227 100644
--- a/test/pummel/test-watch-file.js
+++ b/test/pummel/test-watch-file.js
@@ -34,8 +34,11 @@ fs.closeSync(fs.openSync(f, 'w'));
 let changes = 0;
 function watchFile() {
   fs.watchFile(f, (curr, prev) => {
+    // Make sure there is at least one watch event that shows a changed mtime.
+    if (curr.mtime <= prev.mtime) {
+      return;
+    }
     changes++;
-    assert.notDeepStrictEqual(curr.mtime, prev.mtime);
     fs.unwatchFile(f);
     watchFile();
     fs.unwatchFile(f);
@@ -44,10 +47,17 @@ function watchFile() {
 
 watchFile();
 
+function changeFile() {
+  const fd = fs.openSync(f, 'w+');
+  fs.writeSync(fd, 'xyz\n');
+  fs.closeSync(fd);
+}
 
-const fd = fs.openSync(f, 'w+');
-fs.writeSync(fd, 'xyz\n');
-fs.closeSync(fd);
+changeFile();
+const interval = setInterval(changeFile, 1000);
+// Use unref() here so fs.watchFile() watcher is the only thing keeping the
+// event loop open.
+interval.unref();
 
 process.on('exit', function() {
   assert.ok(changes > 0);