diff --git a/notebook/tests/selenium/utils.py b/notebook/tests/selenium/utils.py
index 9aad3fbf8e..4dee2ea635 100644
--- a/notebook/tests/selenium/utils.py
+++ b/notebook/tests/selenium/utils.py
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ def body(self):
 
     @property
     def cells(self):
+        """Gets all cells once they are visible.
+        
+        """
+        wait_for_selector(self.browser, ".cell")
         return self.browser.find_elements_by_class_name("cell")