diff --git a/test/uvw/handle.cpp b/test/uvw/handle.cpp
index bd50b70a..242680f6 100644
--- a/test/uvw/handle.cpp
+++ b/test/uvw/handle.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ TEST(Handle, Functionalities) {
     ASSERT_NO_THROW(handle->close());
     ASSERT_FALSE(handle->active());
 
+    // this forces an internal call to the close callback
+    // (possible leak detected by valgrind otherwise)
+    loop->run();
+
     ASSERT_NO_THROW(handle->reference());
     ASSERT_TRUE(handle->referenced());
     ASSERT_NO_THROW(handle->unreference());
diff --git a/test/uvw/timer.cpp b/test/uvw/timer.cpp
index baaeb926..41fc5511 100644
--- a/test/uvw/timer.cpp
+++ b/test/uvw/timer.cpp
@@ -108,6 +108,11 @@ TEST(Timer, Repeat) {
 
     ASSERT_NO_THROW(handle->repeat(uvw::TimerHandle::Time{42}));
     ASSERT_EQ(handle->repeat(), uvw::TimerHandle::Time{42});
+    ASSERT_NO_THROW(handle->close());
+
+    // this forces an internal call to the close callback
+    // (possible leak detected by valgrind otherwise)
+    loop->run();
 }