diff --git a/.gitlab-ci/android-runner.sh b/.gitlab-ci/android-runner.sh
index e5c421ca5af..b9796abba65 100755
--- a/.gitlab-ci/android-runner.sh
+++ b/.gitlab-ci/android-runner.sh
@@ -8,8 +8,18 @@ set -uex
 
 : "${ADB:=adb}"
 
-$ADB wait-for-device root
-sleep 1
+$ADB wait-for-device
+for i in $(seq 1 5); do
+    if $ADB root; then
+        break
+    fi
+    if [ "$i" -eq 5 ]; then
+        echo "Failed to get adb root after 5 attempts"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    sleep 2
+done
+$ADB wait-for-device
 
 # overlay