diff --git a/huge_page_setup_helper.py b/huge_page_setup_helper.py
index 7ba0c92..79a88ca 100755
--- a/huge_page_setup_helper.py
+++ b/huge_page_setup_helper.py
@@ -169,6 +169,10 @@ else:
         os.popen("/usr/sbin/groupadd %s" % userGroupReq)
     else:
         print("/usr/sbin/groupadd %s" % userGroupReq)
+
+    # wait for the groupadd finish
+    os.wait()
+
     groupNames = os.popen("/usr/bin/getent group %s" % userGroupReq).readlines()
     for line in groupNames:
         curGroupName = line.split(":")[0]
@@ -244,6 +248,9 @@ else:
     print("/usr/bin/hugeadm --set-recommended-shmmax")
     print()
 
+# wait for the hugepage setups finish
+os.wait()
+
 # figure out what that shmmax value we just set was
 hugeadmexplain = os.popen("/usr/bin/hugeadm --explain 2>/dev/null").readlines()
 for line in hugeadmexplain: