diff --git a/bin/tests/system/dnssec/tests_policy.py b/bin/tests/system/dnssec/tests_policy.py
index 672dc8a4a4..e813bea448 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/dnssec/tests_policy.py
+++ b/bin/tests/system/dnssec/tests_policy.py
@@ -63,7 +63,9 @@ def test_signatures_validity(ns3, templates):
     templates.render("ns3/named.conf", {"long_sigs": True})
     with ns3.watch_log_from_here() as watcher:
         ns3.reconfigure(log=False)
-        watcher.wait_for_line("siginterval.example/IN (signed): sending notifies")
+        watcher.wait_for_line(
+            "zone_needdump: zone siginterval.example/IN (signed): enter"
+        )
 
     res = isctest.query.tcp(msg, "10.53.0.3")
     after = next(filter(is_rrsig_soa, res.answer))
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/nsec3/tests_nsec3_reconfig.py b/bin/tests/system/nsec3/tests_nsec3_reconfig.py
index 47cd77ecf2..3b791eba11 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/nsec3/tests_nsec3_reconfig.py
+++ b/bin/tests/system/nsec3/tests_nsec3_reconfig.py
@@ -326,9 +326,13 @@ def test_nsec3_ent(ns3, templates):
     # remove a name, bump the SOA, and reload
     templates.render(f"{ns3.identifier}/nsec3-ent.kasp.db", {"serial": 2})
 
+    messages = [
+        f"zone {zone}/IN (unsigned): loaded serial 2",
+        f"zone_needdump: zone {zone}/IN (signed): enter",
+    ]
     with ns3.watch_log_from_here() as watcher:
         ns3.rndc(f"reload {zone}")
-        watcher.wait_for_line(f"zone {zone}/IN (signed): sending notifies")
+        watcher.wait_for_sequence(messages)
 
     # try the query again
     query = isctest.query.create(f"c.{fqdn}", dns.rdatatype.A)
@@ -345,9 +349,13 @@ def test_nsec3_ent(ns3, templates):
     # add a name with an ENT, bump the SOA, and reload ensuring the time stamp changes
     templates.render(f"{ns3.identifier}/nsec3-ent.kasp.db", {"serial": 3})
 
+    messages = [
+        f"zone {zone}/IN (unsigned): loaded serial 3",
+        f"zone_needdump: zone {zone}/IN (signed): enter",
+    ]
     with ns3.watch_log_from_here() as watcher:
         ns3.rndc(f"reload {zone}")
-        watcher.wait_for_line(f"zone {zone}/IN (signed): sending notifies")
+        watcher.wait_for_sequence(messages)
 
     # try the query again
     query = isctest.query.create(f"x.y.z.{fqdn}", dns.rdatatype.A)
diff --git a/bin/tests/system/rollover-zsk-prepub/tests_rollover_zsk_prepublication.py b/bin/tests/system/rollover-zsk-prepub/tests_rollover_zsk_prepublication.py
index 30a5104c8b..73f249b258 100644
--- a/bin/tests/system/rollover-zsk-prepub/tests_rollover_zsk_prepublication.py
+++ b/bin/tests/system/rollover-zsk-prepub/tests_rollover_zsk_prepublication.py
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ def test_zsk_prepub_step3(tld, alg, size, ns3):
     # Force full resign and check all signatures have been replaced.
     with ns3.watch_log_from_here() as watcher:
         ns3.rndc(f"sign {zone}", log=False)
-        watcher.wait_for_line(f"zone {zone}/IN (signed): sending notifies")
+        watcher.wait_for_line(f"zone_needdump: zone {zone}/IN (signed): enter")
 
     step["smooth"] = False
     step["nextev"] = Iret(CONFIG, smooth=False)