diff --git a/features/desktop/signs_up.feature b/features/desktop/signs_up.feature
index 84b6381a3..55c124b86 100644
--- a/features/desktop/signs_up.feature
+++ b/features/desktop/signs_up.feature
@@ -13,8 +13,9 @@ Feature: new user registration
       | profile_first_name | O             |
     And I confirm the alert after I follow "awesome_button"
     Then I should be on the stream page
+    And the publisher should be expanded
     And I close the publisher
-    And I should not see "awesome_button"
+    Then I should not see "awesome_button"
     And I should not see any posts in my stream
 
   Scenario: new user tries to XSS itself
@@ -35,16 +36,18 @@ Feature: new user registration
   Scenario: new user skips the setup wizard
     When I confirm the alert after I follow "awesome_button"
     Then I should be on the stream page
-    And I close the publisher
+    And the publisher should be expanded
 
   Scenario: first status message is public
     When I confirm the alert after I follow "awesome_button"
     Then I should be on the stream page
+    And the publisher should be expanded
     And I should see "Public" within ".aspect_dropdown"
 
   Scenario: new user without any tags posts first status message
     When I confirm the alert after I follow "awesome_button"
     Then I should be on the stream page
+    And the publisher should be expanded
     When I submit the publisher
     Then "Hey everyone, I’m #newhere." should be post 1
 
@@ -55,7 +58,8 @@ Feature: new user registration
     And I press the first ".as-result-item" within "#as-results-tags"
     And I follow "awesome_button"
     Then I should be on the stream page
-    When I submit the publisher
+    And the publisher should be expanded
+    And I submit the publisher
     Then "Hey everyone, I’m #newhere. I’m interested in #rockstar." should be post 1
 
   Scenario: closing a popover clears getting started
diff --git a/features/support/publishing_cuke_helpers.rb b/features/support/publishing_cuke_helpers.rb
index 046f8e332..a3fc5c02e 100644
--- a/features/support/publishing_cuke_helpers.rb
+++ b/features/support/publishing_cuke_helpers.rb
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ module PublishingCukeHelpers
   def submit_publisher
     txt = find("#publisher #status_message_fake_text").value
     find("#publisher .btn-primary").click
+    # wait for the publisher to be closed
+    expect(find("#publisher")["class"]).to include("closed")
     # wait for the content to appear
     expect(find("#main_stream")).to have_content(txt)
   end