diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/net/mptcp/mptcp_join.sh b/tools/testing/selftests/net/mptcp/mptcp_join.sh
index 309d06781ae7..d4769bc0d842 100755
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/net/mptcp/mptcp_join.sh
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/net/mptcp/mptcp_join.sh
@@ -1242,7 +1242,7 @@ chk_link_usage()
 	fi
 }
 
-wait_for_tw()
+wait_attempt_fail()
 {
 	local timeout_ms=$((timeout_poll * 1000))
 	local time=0
@@ -1361,7 +1361,7 @@ subflows_error_tests()
 	TEST_COUNT=$((TEST_COUNT+1))
 
 	# mpj subflow will be in TW after the reset
-	wait_for_tw $ns2
+	wait_attempt_fail $ns2
 	pm_nl_add_endpoint $ns2 10.0.2.2 flags subflow
 	wait