diff --git a/jupyterhub/tests/browser/test_browser.py b/jupyterhub/tests/browser/test_browser.py
index b34b6078..b655048d 100644
--- a/jupyterhub/tests/browser/test_browser.py
+++ b/jupyterhub/tests/browser/test_browser.py
@@ -291,7 +291,8 @@ async def test_spawn_pending_progress(
             "Spawning server...",
             f"Server ready at {app.base_url}user/{urlname}/",
         ]
-        while not user.spawner.ready:
+        logs_list = []
+        while not user.spawner.ready and len(logs_list) < len(expected_messages):
             logs_list = [
                 await log.text_content()
                 for log in await browser.locator("div.progress-log-event").all()
diff --git a/pytest.ini b/pytest.ini
index 308a464b..8b52c688 100644
--- a/pytest.ini
+++ b/pytest.ini
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ asyncio_default_fixture_loop_scope = module
 # jupyter_server plugin is incompatible with notebook imports
 addopts = -p no:jupyter_server -m 'not browser' --color yes --durations 10 --verbose
 
+log_format = %(asctime)s %(levelname)s %(filename)s:%(lineno)s %(message)s
+log_date_format = %H:%M:%S
+
 python_files = test_*.py
 markers =
     gen_test: marks an async tornado test