diff --git a/distributed/tests/test_worker.py b/distributed/tests/test_worker.py
index 7f796c015b..befd6ddfcf 100644
--- a/distributed/tests/test_worker.py
+++ b/distributed/tests/test_worker.py
@@ -810,9 +810,8 @@ async def test_hold_onto_dependents(c, s, a, b):
         await asyncio.sleep(0.1)
 
 
-# Normally takes >2s but it has been observed to take >30s occasionally
-@pytest.mark.slow
-@gen_test(timeout=120)
+@pytest.mark.xfail(reason="asyncio.wait_for bug")
+@gen_test()
 async def test_worker_death_timeout():
     w = Worker("tcp://127.0.0.1:12345", death_timeout=0.1)
     with pytest.raises(TimeoutError) as info: