diff --git a/tests/utils.sh b/tests/utils.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f65f2016
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/utils.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+test_sleep()
+{
+    #only sleep when running the test within terminology with test ui on
+    if [ "$IN_TY_TEST_UI" -eq "1" ]; then
+        sleep "$1"
+    fi
+}