diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 66ab41ee..5eb86769 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def create_random_prefix():
     return "".join(random.choice(string.ascii_uppercase) for _ in range(12))
 
 # Can't use logging as it's not multiprocess safe, and
-# alteratives are overkill
+# alternatives are overkill
 def log(*args):
     print(datetime.now().strftime("%H:%M:%S"), *args)
 
diff --git a/tests/sim_cothread_ioc.py b/tests/sim_cothread_ioc.py
index fd54f838..e7e67336 100644
--- a/tests/sim_cothread_ioc.py
+++ b/tests/sim_cothread_ioc.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 from conftest import ADDRESS, log, select_and_recv
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
+    log("sim_cothread_ioc starting")
     with Client(ADDRESS) as conn:
         import cothread
 
@@ -18,16 +19,24 @@
 
         import sim_records
 
+        log("sim_cothread_ioc records created")
+
         # Run the IOC
         builder.LoadDatabase()
         softioc.iocInit()
 
+        log("sim_cothread_ioc ready")
+
         conn.send("R")  # "Ready"
 
+        log("sim_cothread_ioc waiting for Done")
+
         select_and_recv(conn, "D")  # "Done"
         # Attempt to ensure all buffers flushed - C code (from `import pvlog`)
         # may not be affected by these calls...
         sys.stdout.flush()
         sys.stderr.flush()
 
+        log("sim_cothread_ioc sending Done")
+
         conn.send("D")  # "Ready"
diff --git a/tests/test_cothread.py b/tests/test_cothread.py
index 51cb9d20..3586c9ca 100644
--- a/tests/test_cothread.py
+++ b/tests/test_cothread.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 from multiprocessing.connection import Listener
 
-from conftest import requires_cothread, ADDRESS, select_and_recv
+from conftest import requires_cothread, ADDRESS, log, select_and_recv
 
 @requires_cothread
 def test_cothread_ioc(cothread_ioc):
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ def test_cothread_ioc(cothread_ioc):
     pre = cothread_ioc.pv_prefix
 
     with Listener(ADDRESS) as listener, listener.accept() as conn:
-
+        log("test_cothread_ioc wait for Ready")
         select_and_recv(conn, "R")  # "Ready"
+        log("test_cothread_ioc Ready received")
 
         # Start
         assert caget(pre + ":UPTIME").startswith("00:00:0")
@@ -31,9 +32,12 @@ def test_cothread_ioc(cothread_ioc):
         with Context("pva") as ctx:
             assert ctx.get(pre + ":STRINGOUT") == "something"
 
+        log("test_cothread_ioc sending Done")
         conn.send("D")  # "Done"
 
+        log("test_cothread_ioc waiting for Done")
         select_and_recv(conn, "D")  # "Done"
+        log("test_cothread_ioc received Done")
 
         # Stop
         cothread_ioc.proc.send_signal(signal.SIGINT)