diff --git a/tests/upgrade_preinstall.pm b/tests/upgrade_preinstall.pm
index c93ace9a..224749e6 100644
--- a/tests/upgrade_preinstall.pm
+++ b/tests/upgrade_preinstall.pm
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ sub run {
     }
     # switch to TTY3 for both, graphical and console tests
     $self->root_console(tty=>3);
+    # disable screen blanking (update can take a long time)
+    type_string "setterm -blank 0\n";
 
     # upgrader should be installed on up-to-date system
 
diff --git a/tests/upgrade_run.pm b/tests/upgrade_run.pm
index 3d2e28c0..f391ef4a 100644
--- a/tests/upgrade_run.pm
+++ b/tests/upgrade_run.pm
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ sub run {
     if ($release eq 'rawhide' or $milestone eq 'branched') {
         $args .= " --nogpgcheck";
     }
+    # disable screen blanking (download can take a long time)
+    type_string "setterm -blank 0\n";
+
     type_string "dnf -y system-upgrade download ${args}";
     send_key "ret";