diff --git a/tests/hostside/java/com/android/microdroid/test/MicrodroidHostTests.java b/tests/hostside/java/com/android/microdroid/test/MicrodroidHostTests.java
index 9dbaa5e..75cf61e 100644
--- a/tests/hostside/java/com/android/microdroid/test/MicrodroidHostTests.java
+++ b/tests/hostside/java/com/android/microdroid/test/MicrodroidHostTests.java
@@ -513,7 +513,8 @@
         mMicrodroidDevice.enableAdbRoot();
 
         CommandRunner microdroid = new CommandRunner(mMicrodroidDevice);
-        microdroid.run(crashCommand);
+        // can crash in the middle of crashCommand; fail is ok
+        microdroid.tryRun(crashCommand);
 
         // check until microdroid is shut down
         CommandRunner android = new CommandRunner(getDevice());