diff --git a/browser/base/content/test/referrer/head.js b/browser/base/content/test/referrer/head.js
index e2ff498c8a75..5175cddf035f 100644
--- a/browser/base/content/test/referrer/head.js
+++ b/browser/base/content/test/referrer/head.js
@@ -140,7 +140,19 @@ function delayedStartupFinished(aWindow) {
  * @resolves With the tab once it's loaded.
  */
 function someTabLoaded(aWindow) {
-  return BrowserTestUtils.waitForNewTab(aWindow.gBrowser);
+  return new Promise(function(resolve) {
+    aWindow.gBrowser.addEventListener("load", function onLoad(aEvent) {
+      if (aWindow.location.href === "about:blank") {
+        return;
+      }
+      let tab = aWindow.gBrowser._getTabForContentWindow(
+          aEvent.target.defaultView.top);
+      if (tab) {
+        aWindow.gBrowser.removeEventListener("load", onLoad, true);
+        resolve(tab);
+      }
+    }, true);
+  });
 }
 
 /**