diff --git a/src/misc-progs/ipsecctrl.c b/src/misc-progs/ipsecctrl.c
index 16fc86ba3..d974d6c6a 100644
--- a/src/misc-progs/ipsecctrl.c
+++ b/src/misc-progs/ipsecctrl.c
@@ -140,6 +140,8 @@ void turn_connection_on (char *name, char *type) {
 
         safe_system("/usr/sbin/ipsec reload >/dev/null");
         memset(command, 0, STRING_SIZE);
+        /* give ipsec time to be ready */
+        safe_system("/bin/sleep 2");
         snprintf(command, STRING_SIZE - 1, 
                 "/usr/sbin/ipsec up %s >/dev/null", name);
         safe_system(command);