diff --git a/test/ruby/test_thread.rb b/test/ruby/test_thread.rb
index 516014ac25..e0c61c66f5 100644
--- a/test/ruby/test_thread.rb
+++ b/test/ruby/test_thread.rb
@@ -1050,7 +1050,7 @@ q.pop
   end
 
   def test_thread_name
-    t = Thread.start {}
+    t = Thread.start {sleep}
     assert_nil t.name
     s = t.inspect
     t.name = 'foo'