diff --git a/tests/rptest/tests/consumer_group_test.py b/tests/rptest/tests/consumer_group_test.py
index 9075666e2bd68..06ed83f6ab51f 100644
--- a/tests/rptest/tests/consumer_group_test.py
+++ b/tests/rptest/tests/consumer_group_test.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def create_consumers(self,
 
         def group_is_ready():
             gr = rpk.group_describe(group=group, summary=True)
-            return gr.members == consumer_count
+            return gr.members == consumer_count and gr.state == "Stable"
 
         wait_until(group_is_ready, 60, 1)
         return consumers