diff --git a/debezium-testing/debezium-testing-testcontainers/src/main/java/io/debezium/testing/testcontainers/MongoDbReplicaSet.java b/debezium-testing/debezium-testing-testcontainers/src/main/java/io/debezium/testing/testcontainers/MongoDbReplicaSet.java
index 1d3b77e67..698664c86 100644
--- a/debezium-testing/debezium-testing-testcontainers/src/main/java/io/debezium/testing/testcontainers/MongoDbReplicaSet.java
+++ b/debezium-testing/debezium-testing-testcontainers/src/main/java/io/debezium/testing/testcontainers/MongoDbReplicaSet.java
@@ -270,6 +270,9 @@ public void start() {
         // Create rootUser
         LOGGER.info("[{}] Creating root user...", name);
         createRootUser();
+        // Make sure RS status is available to root user
+        awaitReplicaPrimary();
+
         started = true;
     }
 
@@ -329,6 +332,7 @@ public void awaitReplicaPrimary() {
         await()
                 .atMost(1, MINUTES)
                 .pollDelay(1, SECONDS)
+                .ignoreException(IllegalArgumentException.class)
                 .until(() -> tryPrimary().isPresent());
     }