diff --git a/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/GraphicsComposerCallback.h b/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/GraphicsComposerCallback.h
index ada7d09..e332086 100644
--- a/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/GraphicsComposerCallback.h
+++ b/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/GraphicsComposerCallback.h
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
   // the set of all currently connected displays
   std::unordered_set<Display> mDisplays;
   // true only when vsync is enabled
-  bool mVsyncAllowed = false;
+  bool mVsyncAllowed = true;
 
   // track invalid callbacks
   int mInvalidHotplugCount = 0;
diff --git a/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/VtsHalGraphicsComposerTestUtils.cpp b/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/VtsHalGraphicsComposerTestUtils.cpp
index 4e65a95..c66cdd0 100644
--- a/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/VtsHalGraphicsComposerTestUtils.cpp
+++ b/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/VtsHalGraphicsComposerTestUtils.cpp
@@ -297,6 +297,11 @@
                                            : IComposerClient::Vsync::DISABLE;
   Error error = mClient->setVsyncEnabled(display, vsync);
   ASSERT_EQ(Error::NONE, error) << "failed to set vsync mode";
+
+  // give the hwbinder thread some time to handle any pending vsync callback
+  if (!enabled) {
+      usleep(5 * 1000);
+  }
 }
 
 void ComposerClient::execute(TestCommandReader* reader,
diff --git a/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/VtsHalGraphicsComposerV2_1TargetTest.cpp b/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/VtsHalGraphicsComposerV2_1TargetTest.cpp
index c77b7d3..0f03546 100644
--- a/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/VtsHalGraphicsComposerV2_1TargetTest.cpp
+++ b/graphics/composer/2.1/vts/functional/VtsHalGraphicsComposerV2_1TargetTest.cpp
@@ -61,6 +61,10 @@
 
     // assume the first display is primary and is never removed
     mPrimaryDisplay = waitForFirstDisplay();
+
+    // explicitly disable vsync
+    mComposerClient->setVsyncEnabled(mPrimaryDisplay, false);
+    mComposerCallback->setVsyncAllowed(false);
   }
 
   void TearDown() override {