diff --git a/lib/fog/core/model.rb b/lib/fog/core/model.rb
index c1bfb441e..955e7fe94 100644
--- a/lib/fog/core/model.rb
+++ b/lib/fog/core/model.rb
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ module Fog
 
     def wait_for(timeout=600, interval=1, &block)
       reload
+      retries = 3
       Fog.wait_for(timeout, interval) do
-        retries = 3
         if reload
           retries = 3
         elsif retries > 0