diff --git a/bts/BTS_Tests.ttcn b/bts/BTS_Tests.ttcn
index 192e9a336..ab7c979c1 100644
--- a/bts/BTS_Tests.ttcn
+++ b/bts/BTS_Tests.ttcn
@@ -1074,7 +1074,9 @@ testcase TC_deact_sacch() runs on test_CT {
 }
 
 /* verify that given SACCH payload is present */
-private function f_sacch_present(template octetstring l3_exp) runs on ConnHdlr {
+private function f_sacch_present(template octetstring l3_exp,
+				 boolean do_fail := true)
+runs on ConnHdlr {
 	var L1ctlDlMessage dl;
 	timer T_sacch := 3.0;
 	L1CTL.clear;
@@ -1089,7 +1091,10 @@ private function f_sacch_present(template octetstring l3_exp) runs on ConnHdlr {
 		}
 		}
 	[] L1CTL.receive { repeat; }
-	[] T_sacch.timeout {
+	[not do_fail] T_sacch.timeout {
+		log("Timeout waiting for SACCH ", l3_exp);
+		}
+	[do_fail] T_sacch.timeout {
 		setverdict(fail, "Timeout waiting for SACCH ", l3_exp);
 		Misc_Helpers.f_shutdown(__BFILE__, __LINE__);
 		}
@@ -1384,8 +1389,9 @@ private function f_TC_sacch_chan_act_ho_async(charstring id) runs on ConnHdlr {
 	/* enable dedicated mode */
 	f_l1ctl_est_dchan(L1CTL, g_pars);
 
-	/* Verify that DL SACCH is being received */
-	f_sacch_present(si5);
+	/* 4.1.3 "If the MS Power IE is present the BTS *may* start transmission
+	 * also on the SACCH".  "May" does not mean "shall", so osmo-bts does not. */
+	f_sacch_present(si5, do_fail := false);
 
 	/* Send handover Access Burst and expect SACCH to remain present */
 	f_L1CTL_RACH(L1CTL, ho_ref, chan_nr := g_pars.chan_nr);
@@ -1460,8 +1466,9 @@ private function f_TC_sacch_chan_act_ho_sync(charstring id) runs on ConnHdlr {
 	/* enable dedicated mode */
 	f_l1ctl_est_dchan(L1CTL, g_pars);
 
-	/* Verify that DL SACCH is being received, because MS Power IE was sent */
-	f_sacch_present(si5);
+	/* 4.1.4 "If only the MS Power IE is present the BTS *may* start transmission
+	 * also on the SACCH".  "May" does not mean "shall", so osmo-bts does not. */
+	f_sacch_present(si5, do_fail := false);
 
 	/* Send handover Access Burst and expect SACCH to remain present */
 	f_L1CTL_RACH(L1CTL, ho_ref, chan_nr := g_pars.chan_nr);