diff --git a/tests/utils/mod.rs b/tests/utils/mod.rs
index daf9319..c25a1ca 100644
--- a/tests/utils/mod.rs
+++ b/tests/utils/mod.rs
@@ -107,6 +107,10 @@ impl Sway {
     }
 
     fn stop(&mut self) {
+        // in case some apps were spawned, kill them, and give them some time to be killed
+        self.send_command(["[all] kill"].as_slice());
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(500));
+        // now terminate sway
         signal(self.process.id(), "TERM");
         match self.check_connection("Unable to connect to") {
             Ok(()) => eprintln!("Sway terminated correctly on its own"),